That’s probably it for Frank Kramer. The heaviest cup smack for Schalke 04 in 17 years and the second bankruptcy within four days against TSG Hoffenheim should mean the end for the unsuccessful coach. The hopelessly overwhelmed promoted team lost 1:5 (0:3) in the second round of the DFB Cup at TSG, who had already won the Bundesliga game on Friday (3:0) at the penultimate table.
After the next very weak performance, loud “Kramer out” calls echoed from the royal blue fan corner in the Sinsheim stadium. Kramer took note of this from the center circle – he has to worry about his job more than ever. The displeasure of the traveling guest fans was unmistakable.
“We have in no way shown the face, the virtues that we wanted to show. That leaves me almost speechless,” said Kramer: “The defenselessness is almost a mystery to me. We all let the club down.”
Israeli Munas Dabbur (5th/43rd), Angelino (16th), ex-Schalke player Ozan Kabak (51st) and Pavel Kaderabek (63rd) scored for Hoffenheim. Thanks to the round of 16 and fourth place in the league under the direction of former Schalke coach André Breitenreiter, the Kraichgauers are right on target.
On Saturday, TSG has to prove itself in the Bundesliga against record champions Bayern Munich. For Schalke, who only got on the scoreboard through Dominick Drexler (69th), the trend-setting game against direct opponent Hertha BSC is on the program on Sunday.
Before kick-off, everything revolved around Kramer’s personality. On Saturday, those responsible for Schalke around sports director Rouven Schröder extended the grace period for the coach after a crisis meeting – despite the fourth loss in a row and disappointing performances.
Nevertheless, there was further public discussion about possible successors. The name Thomas Reis kept coming up. The ex-Bochumer, who recently had to leave VfL, was already an issue for royal blue in the summer.
FC Schalke are two minutes behind
In front of 15,633 spectators in Sinsheim, Angelino already had the lead for Hoffenheim after 99 seconds, but the full-back narrowly missed. Dabbur did better shortly after. The Schalke defense didn’t deserve its name in either scene.
Even after the lead, the hosts, who had to do without star striker Andrej Kramaric, determined what happened. Dabbur failed to S04 goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow (13th).
The Schalke usually just ran behind. After about a quarter of an hour, Schwolow initially held strong again against Dennis Geiger, but seconds later the ball wriggled in the net. Angelino had deducted from the edge of the penalty area.
Class difference over long distances
As a result, a class difference became apparent over long stretches. The Schalke were inferior in all respects. Hoffenheim played cat and mouse with the guests, but forgot to score. Only shortly before the break did Dabbur increase the result.
In the second round nothing changed in the dominance of Hoffenheim. Before Kabak hit his head from a free kick, the Schalke penalty area had been on fire several times. Even before Kaderabek’s fifth goal, it could have hit the S04 goal twice or three times.
After the goal, the Schalke fans who had traveled with them had no patience. “Kramer out” echoed through the arena. Schröder looked appropriately served on the bench, and Drexler’s goal didn’t change that.