After a tricky search for a coach, Frank Kramer takes over FC Schalke 04. The new head coach has a dubious reputation. In addition, the Royal Blues face a BVB dilemma.
It’s time on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Then FC Schalke 04 will introduce its new head coach.
The district club has not yet officially confirmed the name of the new trainer in the corresponding club announcement on Monday afternoon.
However, the unanimous tenor of the media landscape leaves no doubt that it is Frank Kramer.
Great skepticism at FC Schalke 04
This name does not cause euphoria in the traditionally difficult Schalke environment – on the contrary. While buckets of scorn and ridicule poured out over the S04 leadership and the candidate they had chosen on social networks, “Bild” wrote of a “B solution”.
After more prominent coaches such as former Bundesliga professional Vincent Kompany (most recently RSC Anderlecht) and Sandro Schwarz (recently Hertha BSC) were traded at Schalke and the supporters even dreamed of Raul or Xabi Alonso, Kramer’s commitment is rather sobering.
That’s why FC Schalke 04 chose Frank Kramer
The time that Schalke’s sports director Rouven Schröder and Kramer spent together at Greuther Fürth from 2013 to 2014 may have been the deciding factor for the 50-year-old.
Another plus for the former coach of various German U-national teams and clubs such as Greuther Fürth, 1899 Hoffenheim or Fortuna Düsseldorf could have been his preference for running-intensive games that go well with Schalke’s image as a hardworking club.
Added to this is Kramer’s good knack for young players – and last but not least his apparently moderate salary expectations, which also play into the hands of the clammy miners.
FC Schalke 04: Frank Kramer’s dubious reputation as a “senior teacher”
All of this sounds reasonable for the royal blue claims and is certainly not wrong for the goal of staying up in the league.
From his time at Arminia Bielefeld, which ended with the dismissal in April in the middle of the final spurt of the season, Kramer also has less positive impressions.
He is said to have crossed paths with the leading players in the Ostwestfalen squad. Even so extreme that a change from ex-Arminia keeper Stefan Ortega to Schalke should be off the table at the latest because of Kramer’s commitment.
The former high school lecturer and university lecturer sometimes appears “top teacher-like”, wrote the “WAZ” with reference to unnamed experts who have been following Kramer’s path for a long time.
BVB dilemma at FC Schalke 04?
What Kramer could also fall on his feet is the explosive constellation in the Schalke coaching staff.
Promotion coach Mike Büskens is still part of this as an assistant. With Gerald Asamoah, another club icon is close to the team as head of the licensed player department. There will also be Matthias Kreutzer as another assistant coach and Simon Henzler, who will continue to coach the goalkeepers. According to reports, Kramer does not bring his own confidants with him.
Büskens in particular could be seen as a “shadow coach” who would quickly be available as an alternative in the event of failure.
Edin Terzic also played a similar role at district rivals Borussia Dortmund last season. This may have accelerated the separation of BVB from Marco Rose.
Tobias Knoop (with dpa material)