Schalke and sports director Knäbel part ways in the summer
FC Schalke 04 and sporting director Peter Knäbel are parting ways after the current season. According to the German Press Agency, the 57-year-old's contract, which expires in the summer, will not be extended. Knäbel will not be available for a further term of office.
Relegation battle instead of promotion
Gelsenkirchen are currently lagging far behind their own standards in the 2nd division. Instead of competing for direct promotion, the relegated Bundesliga team is in the relegation zone. Coach Thomas Reis has already replaced Schalke with Belgian Karel Geraerts.
Recently, however, there has also been repeated criticism of the composition of the squad, for which Knäbel is primarily responsible. Sports director André Hechelmann will now become even more of a focal point for transfers in the upcoming winter transfer window.
Knäbel initially joined the traditional club from the Ruhr region as Technical Director in April 2018. He was appointed to the board in March 2021.
Despite FC Schalke 04's struggles in Bundesliga 2, with the team fighting to avoid relegation instead of aiming for promotion, Peter Knäbel's role as sports director has come under scrutiny due to the squad composition. With his contract not being renewed, Schalke's Technical Director since April 2018 and board member since March 2021, will not be leading the club's transfer decisions in the upcoming winter window.
Source: www.dpa.com
