After the first reports about a contract termination of the squad planner Ben Manga at FC Schalke 04, who was released last autumn, made the rounds on Wednesday, the Bundesliga returnee confirmed the separation, which was now also sealed on paper, early in the evening. The club does not provide any information about a rumored million-dollar severance payment for the ex-SGE scout.
“In open and constructive discussions, we have come to the conclusion that, after achieving promotion, the right time has come to formally end the collaboration after the release in autumn 2025,” Schalke’s sports director Frank Baumann is quoted as saying in a statement from the Revierklub regarding the termination of the contract of ex-squad planner Frank Baumann.
The manager, who had once earned an excellent reputation as a talent scout at Eintracht Frankfurt, steered Schalke from FC Watford to Gelsenkirchen in October 2023. “Ben Manga took on great responsibility in a phase that was both sportingly and economically challenging, created important structural foundations and helped get the club back on track,” continued Baumann.
FC Schalke 04: Manga thanks for “the time we spent together”
The 52-year-old is now saying goodbye to “an exceptional, traditional club with enormous charisma and a unique fan culture,” Manga is quoted as saying: “I am grateful for the trust and proud of having created important structural foundations together with my team and many committed employees.” He wishes his former club all the best for the future.
“I am convinced that the path we have chosen will help the club to be successful in the long term and to stabilize the return to the Bundesliga in the long term. The promotion achieved is the result of the hard work of many people within the club. My thanks go to all employees, players, coaches and especially the fans for their support and the time together,” it continues.
FC Schalke 04 did not provide any information about the general terms and conditions of the contract termination. Since his contract at Schalke ran until 2028, he received a generous severance payment, reportedly worth around one million euros, according to “Sky” and “WAZ”. There was no place for Manga, whose official job title was director of squad planning and scouting, at Schalke following the appointment of sports director Frank Baumann.
Shortly after Baumann took office, the decision was made against the former Equatorial Guinea national player.
