The Belgian Karel Geraerts will be the new coach of FC Schalke 04. The 41-year-old will receive a contract with the second division soccer club until June 30, 2025, as the Gelsenkirchen-based company announced on Monday (October 9, 2023).
Geraerts, who signed the new contract on Sunday evening, was most recently employed by the Belgian surprise club Union Saint-Gilloise. Despite a successful season with third place, the club parted ways with him.
Vote on Geraerts “particularly with Youri Mulder”
“Over the past two weeks, André Hechelmann and I have worked intensively to find the right trainer for the profile we were looking for. The process took place in close coordination with the sports committee and in particular Youri Mulder, who is very well connected, especially in the Netherlands and Belgium “, explained sports director Peter Knäbel.
“After the first meeting, it was clear to us that Karel Geraerts fulfilled exactly the criteria we want for a Schalke head coach,” said Knäbel, according to the club’s statement.
An assistant coach is currently being sought, as manager André Hechelmann explained at the introductory press conference at midday. However, he is currently under contract elsewhere.
Schalke is lagging behind demands
In Geraerts, Schalke is getting an internationally experienced coach. With Saint-Gilloise he beat 1. FC Union Berlin in the Europa League in the round of 16 last season and then failed in the quarter-finals against Bayer Leverkusen.
A completely different and difficult task awaits him at Schalke. The Revierklub is currently running far behind its own standards. As a relegated team from the first division, the goal for the season is actually direct promotion.
Debut for Geraerts after International break at KSC
Instead of being in the top group, Schalke is in 16th place in the table. After only two wins in the first seven league games, the traditional club parted ways with coach Thomas Reis on September 27th.
Matthias Kreutzer then looked after the team as interim coach. Under the 40-year-old, Schalke lost 3-1 at SC Paderborn and lost 2-1 against Hertha BSC in the Bundesliga relegated duel on Sunday. Geraerts will make his debut as S04 coach on October 22nd in the away game at Karlsruher SC.
