Baumann takes on tasks for the time being
© Imago
FC Schalke 04 and Ben Manga go separate paths. After several media initially reported on Monday, the royal blue confirmed the immediate from the squad planner at noon. The tasks are carried out interimized by sports director Frank Baumann.
Manga had started in Schalke in May 2024 and still had a contract that was valid until 2028, according to “Bild” and “WAZ” until 2028. In this, a severance clause was installed, which allowed the second division club to draw a line at all times. This has now happened – immediately after Manga’s return from vacation. According to the following, 800,000 euros are due.
“As announced when I took office, I have used the past few months to get a comprehensive picture of our sporting area. After the end of the main transfer period, we carefully analyzed what works well and where we see potential. Baumann explained the step.
There were always discussions about manga and his work. So mana won players, on whom the coach did not bet. With ex-coach Karel Geraerts there was more or less open arguments. Even with the former sports director Marc Wilmots, Manga has not always agreed. During his term, Manga won 26 new players in three transfer periods and gave 38, including Taylan Bulut this summer for 6 million euros in Besiktas (for all transfers). In total, he generated an increase of EUR 14.3 million with transfers, the squad value dropped from EUR 33.6 million to EUR 28.6 million during this period.
For the tasks taken on by Baumann, a successor should be presented: “We are already prepared, have already defined the exact requirements. Now the focus is now on conducting concrete discussions and finding the best candidates for the respective tasks.
The dismissal of manga comes in a phase that is quite successful for Schalke. After the 2-0 win in Magdeburg on Saturday, the former Champions League participant in the 2nd Bundesliga is in fifth place with twelve points and has only one points behind the top positions (for the table).