When FC Schalke 04 introduced Frank Kramer after promotion, it didn’t necessarily trigger a wave of euphoria. But the new coach wants to convince the fans with openness and honesty.
Viewed soberly, a relegation coach should now protect the “Royal Blues” from relegation. But to reduce Frank Kramer to the fact that his former club Arminia Bielefeld (after his dismissal four games before the end of the season) had to go into the second division would be highly unfair. Bielefeld had to struggle with unbelievable bad luck with injuries in the second half of the season – and the year before, Kramer had taken over from Uwe Neuhaus and managed to stay up in the league.
That’s why he was less surprised than pleased when manager Rouven Schröder called: “That means that you didn’t do your job that badly before. So: roll up your sleeves – and let’s go!”
“Open and honest manner”
Of course, there are always doubters in such an emotional environment, but Kramer takes it very sportily. In an interview with Sportschau, he explains why, as an Allgäu native, he and Schalke go so well together: “Because that’s where openness and honesty meet!”
Kramer is a guy who takes people with him, who is approachable, whether after training sessions or at the bakery. However, he usually visits him in Duisburg, because he has moved into an apartment there – with a two-year lease. Chandler: “For me it was like it is for everyone who is looking for an apartment at the moment: difficult to find anything.” Therefore Duisburg. And at least not Dortmund.
“Boys should keep their hearts on the pitch”
How does Kramer want to convince the fans in terms of sport? Here, too, he has a very clear plan. “energetic” should be the football that his team brings across. He uses words like “Commitment”, “Passion”, “Power”. the “Boys should keep their hearts on the pitch”.
He goes fuller “Enthusiasm” approaching the start of the season at 1. FC Köln on Sunday (August 7th, 2022, listen live from 5:20 p.m. on the Sportschau) – and he doesn’t even allow possible excuses such as the big movement in the squad from departures and arrivals during the preparation: “That’s part of it and was certainly more serious for other clubs than for us.”
Kramer raves about Büskens
Kramer does not see the fact that his direct predecessor Mike Büskens, who did not want the boss role despite his outstanding job in the promotion finals, as an assistant coach and thus also a possible backup right next to him on the bench, as a pressure situation. On the contrary, he really gets into raptures when he talks about Büskens: “You couldn’t have a better supporter. Mike knows the club and the team like no other, I’m so happy to have him with me as a person and a professional.”
Season goal clearly relegation
When it comes to the goal for the season, however, Kramer makes a noticeable effort to dampen the euphoria and expectations a little: “Everyone should be aware this season that staying in class will be a challenge. But we certainly won’t resist success.”