Geraerts “doesn’t want to give up”
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Despite the increasing relegation concerns, Karel Geraerts is not thinking about resigning as coach at FC Schalke 04 and wants to turn things around. Meanwhile, midfielder Paul Seguin publicly let off steam after the defeat against Magdeburg and sharply criticized the Royal Blues team.
“I will not give up. It’s the easiest thing you can do in life and in football. I won’t do it,” said the Belgian Geraerts after the weak 0-3, which marked his seventh defeat in a total of 14 games in the lower house since taking office. As 14th in the 2nd Bundesliga, Schalke is still four points ahead of the relegation zone (table). Only the results of the competition did not make the relegated team’s situation significantly worse. “That’s the only positive thing this weekend, that the teams around us didn’t manage a perfect result,” said Geraerts. Looking at the table doesn’t worry him yet: “I’m not panicking now.”
However, the performance of the FCM increases concerns. “That was terrible. I’m just at a loss for words,” explained midfielder Paul Seguin, who was the only player to comment. He found even more drastic words on the “Sky” microphone. “I’m really fed up. It’s a constant up and down,” said the Magdeburg native, who didn’t exempt himself from criticism. “You have to be honest: we are simply bad away from home. We get the energy on the pitch at home, but not away from home. If I knew why that was…” The Knappen didn’t even have 30 percent possession of the ball, and Schalke didn’t get their first shot on goal until the middle of the second half. Before that, the guests had almost no access to the game and allowed Magdeburg to overwhelm them almost defenselessly.
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“I’m just sorry for the shit we’re playing. Every week. I’m just at a loss for words,” Seguin continued, referring to the equally disappointed supporters of the traditional club, who had completely stopped their support in protest during the second half. Geraerts also expressed understanding for the latter: “We can’t lie down in the corner and cry. If the people around us lose faith, I can understand that,” said the 42-year-old. “But we have to keep the faith in the dressing room, and I will do everything to achieve that. If we lose faith, it’s over.”
Seguin said: “I would like even more friction. We have to express our opinions sometimes. We players are to blame. I hope it’s a good week this week.” Next Friday, Schalke hosts league leaders FC St. Pauli at the Veltins Arena, followed by SC Paderborn before they face Hertha BSC in mid-March.
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