Despite his big part in the resurgence, ex-manager Rouven Schröder has fallen out of favor with many FC Schalke 04 fans. Many Knappen supporters resent the fact that the 47-year-old was hired by RB Leipzig just a few months after his sudden resignation in Gelsenkirchen. On Thursday it was announced that the new sports director of the Saxons had to take up his duties with a handicap.
A corresponding “Bild” report was confirmed by the club, according to which Schröder committed his first day of work on Saturday injured.
The ex-professional tore his Achilles tendon in a sports accident and had to have an operation on Wednesday. “A mishap happened,” revealed press spokesman Till Müller at the Leipzig press conference on Thursday.
Schröder had terminated his dormant contract with FC Schalke and will form a duo with sports director Max Eberl at RB from April 1st.
“Rouven will support me in the areas of squad planning, scouting and licensing,” Eberl announced in March.
Leipzig coach Marco Rose has not yet spoken to Schröder. “I know he’s a good guy and has always done a good job in terms of content. We’re happy about any high-quality input,” said the former BVB trainer.
Schröder farewell to FC Schalke 04 with a bland aftertaste
Schröder was considered one of the faces of Schalke’s resurrection after relegation in 2021. Thanks to a cleverly assembled squad, the Royal Blues managed to return to the top flight immediately as second division champions.
In the first series, however, almost nothing went together at S04. At the end of October, Schröder surprisingly resigned from his post, only to tie up with RB Leipzig a few weeks later. At his new employer, the official is now on crutches for the time being.