Schalke 04 is once again in crisis. Sporty, but also as a club. An interview by Timo Baumgartl after the defeat at St. Pauli highlighted major rifts. The defender was punished for this.
The topic that has been circulating around FC Schalke 04 for many weeks is that the team does not agree with Thomas Reis’ tactical approach. The coach’s thinking is too one-dimensional, there is no Plan B, everything doesn’t fit with the condition and composition of the squad. The club vehemently relegated this to the realm of fable and demonstrated unity. But that bubble has now burst.
“That’s why we do it as a team”
After the 1:3 loss at FC St. Pauli, Timo Baumgartl found very clear words that made it clear that the disputed issue was not a media fantasy, but that there was apparently a big spark of truth behind it. “If it’s 0-3 after half an hour, we can’t complain. That’s crazy, we’re playing with fire,” said the defender on “Sky”.
The reason for this seems to be coach Reis’ tactics. Baumgartl criticized Baumgartl when he was asked whether the team would like a different approach. “That’s the coach’s philosophy, he tells us that. That’s why we do it as a team. But it’s clear when you see the first 30 minutes that it’s brutally difficult when the opponent does well. Again and again at the back Standing one against one is risky.”
Confession per rice from Hechelmann
And another question also revealed the rifts between the team and the coach. “Those are always questions. He gives us a plan, but of course it’s a bit difficult for us to do it that way. Because of course we keep getting into these situations. We train it during the week and are meticulous, but “We’ve already conceded 15 goals,” Baumgartl said about whether he was behind Reis.
However, those responsible do this. Sports director André Hechelmann supported Reis and held the professionals accountable. “We had a clear plan and whenever we stuck to it, we created good scenes,” said the 39-year-old, who tried to downplay the Baumgartl interview the morning after. “The coach and the player have sorted it out, that’s what counts,” Hechelmann told the “WAZ”.
Reis passes the buck back to the players
As a PR measure, it is worth trying to close the issue in this way. But Schalke – still relegated with a good feeling for the future after a strong second half of the season – is not only in a sporting low after the weak start (seven points from seven games), but is also once again a powder keg that is about to explode.
The disagreements between the coach and the players can no longer be ignored, while those responsible protect Reis. He still believes his approach is effective anyway. “We were very passive. Only when we took more risks and everyone did their job 100 percent did we give St. Pauli a task to complete,” said the Schalke coach. Regarding the Baumgartl interview, he said that he was “the first to take a look at his own nose. And I expect the same from my players.”
Penalty for Baumgartl
What the club also expects is that the players express their criticism internally. Because Baumgartl didn’t do that, he was fined by the club and has to train with the U23s at the beginning of the week. Schalke announced this on Sunday (September 24th, 2023) after a conversation between the player and the sporting management.
“Timo was insightful in the conversation, admitted his mistake right at the beginning and asked for an apology. We accepted it,” it said in a statement. “What I triggered with my statements was not my intention and should not happen to a player with my experience,” said Baumgartl, who, however, did not comment on the content of his statements.
“TOGETHER” only on paper
Players against coaches, coaches against players. In an interview with the in-house “SchalkeTV” before the start of the season, sports director Peter Knäbel demanded: “We have to appear together and united.” In any case, “GEmeinsam” (the letters GE are capitalized in reference to the city of Gelsenkirchen) is generally a disproportionately common word at Schalke.
The problem: The club itself seems to have major problems living out this credo – and it is currently failing once again. And as is so often the case at Schalke, the next few days will be dominated by personnel questions – and less by the question of how we can really get out of this slump “TOGETHER”.
