Thomas Reis has publicly looked back on his dismissal from FC Schalke 04 for the first time. According to his own statement, the 50-year-old did not see the S04 exit coming.
“I have already analyzed exactly what happened and what I could have done better. The release in the middle of the week came as a surprise and hit me,” revealed Reis in an interview with “Sport1”: “I had already got the team ready for the game prepared in Paderborn; the dismissal came two days before the game. I didn’t expect that.”
FC Schalke 04 parted ways with the former Bochum player at the end of September after a botched start to the second division season. Shortly before, defender Timo Baumgartl had publicly criticized his own game idea.
“But we were able to sort that out together. I would have liked to have played one or two more games before the international break. I thought that at least we were taking small steps in the right direction,” said Reis, sharing his perspective.
The sporting path was “not satisfactory”, “I don’t take myself out of it because I was of course responsible for the team,” said the trainer, self-criticising.
At the same time, Reis noted: “We certainly weren’t at the top right from the start, but the season was still very young. We had a phase that wasn’t ideal. Bad luck with injuries also played a role.”
“Schalke was definitely a risk”
The coach has no regrets about joining Schalke just a few weeks after leaving VfL Bochum in October 2022.
“If you get the opportunity to coach a club like S04, then you just have to do it. I appreciate certain risks. Schalke was definitely a risk. After all, it is known that many coaches had to leave after a short time. The situation was not there “It’s easy. I still don’t want to miss the twelve months,” said Reis, looking back.