By Sebastian Karkos and Jürgen Wenzel
Will Union leader Oliver Ruhnert (51) return to Schalke? In view of the crisis in the relegated Bundesliga, a serious opposition is beginning to organize that wants to install Ruhnert as the new sports boss.
BZ therefore asked Ruhnert: “Can you imagine returning to Schalke as sports boss?” His answer: “This topic has already been discussed extensively several times and I will not go into the content of it again now. My full concentration is on the task at 1. FC Union Berlin.”
How realistic is his departure from Berlin? He has led the Iron Men into the Champions League with his transfers, and in principle he enjoys complete freedom when it comes to squad planning. In his private life, however, his heart still lies in the Sauerland. He commutes between his hometown and Berlin and tries to be at home several days a week.
Ruhnert also said at the end of last year: “I have often explained that I would like to stay in football, but that I would not do this strenuous and nerve-sapping job forever, sometimes 24/7.”
This means: Ruhnert no longer wants to work as a manager after Union, but a job as a sports boss could be conceivable. Especially if Schalke would also bring Horst Heldt (53) back into management. Both share a close friendship. Before Ruhnert went to Berlin in 2017, he was head of the Knappenschmiede (young talent department) at Königsblau for six years.
The Schalke opposition aims to call an extraordinary general meeting (ten percent of those entitled to vote of the total 178,000 members must apply). The current supervisory board around Axel Hefer (46) is to be dismissed and re-elected.
Then a sports boss should come who knows the complicated club very well and behind whom everyone would rally. Does that suggest Ruhnert will return?