Just over two weeks ago, FC Schalke 04 announced that the contract with Peter Knäbel would not be extended and that the collaboration would end in the summer. However, there are now rumors that Knäbel as sports director could soon be history at the Royal Blues. Is Horst Heldt coming? And what about the restructuring of the squad?
FC Schalke 04 will have a game of truth in the 2nd Bundesliga on Friday. The Revierklub, which is in the relegation zone, absolutely needs a win against the bottom of the table, VfL Osnabrück, in the Veltins Arena at home in order to get some peace of mind in the club.
Because things are simmering at Schalke, within the team and within the management level. This became clear, among other things, in mid-November when Peter Knäbel announced that his contract as sports director would expire in June 2024.
But according to “kicker”, it is extremely unlikely that Knäbel will be in charge of Schalke’s sporting fortunes until the summer.
The current trend is for Knäbel’s time as sports director to end long before that. Maybe even in winter? The trade journal speculates that the 57-year-old, who has held his position since February 28, 2021, is either asking for his contract to be terminated or taking on another role in the club.
Because there should be “prompt” changes at the level of those people who make sporting decisions for the future. Here the “kicker” brings Horst Heldt, who has been around for a long time, into play. He “could be part of the [neuen] be teams,” it says.
Big topic at Schalke 04: A comeback from Horst Heldt (left)
Heldt himself had recently shown himself not to be averse to making a comeback to the club that he managed from 2011 to 2016 and left in tears.
Schalke 04 could opt for a loan deal in the winter
“It’s difficult to say anything about it,” Heldt told “Sky” in mid-October. Schalke first has to make a fundamental decision on how to fill the remaining positions. “They have to make this decision soon. It makes no sense to think about it beforehand. A new CEO, Matthias Tillmann, will start on January 1st. He will definitely get an idea of the fundamental decision and then make a judgment. From there you have to see what happens next.”
It remains to be seen whether Heldt will actually be in charge in the coming January transfer window. However, according to the report, it is clear that the squad should be thoroughly screened out. At the same time, new established forces should come.
Since things are looking financially sparse, Schalke will, according to the trade magazine’s assessment, rely on loans “against their actual wishes.”