Dimitrios Grammozis spoke about the current situation at FC Schalke 04. The coach was annoyed by “false discussions”, gave an insight into the cohesion within the team and revealed who the craziest players in his team are.
Dimitrios Grammozis has been the coach of FC Schalke 04 since the beginning of March 2021. With the Royal Blues, the 43-year-old wants to make it back to the Bundesliga, but the German-Greek does not seem to have the full backing of the fans, although the miners do First round finished in fourth place (tied with HSV in third place). And the management floor was sometimes surprisingly quiet.
Grammozis, however, emphasized to the “Sport Bild” that the internal appreciation was “definitely there”. The 43-year-old can even understand that the fans are sometimes critical of him, but the displeasure is based on the situation around the club.
“When you come to Schalke, you have to expect it to be emotional. That’s what defines this great club,” said Grammozis, adding: “Schalke played in the Champions League three years ago.”
In the end, the supporters had to “endure a lot of malice and ridicule,” Grammozis continued. “Now you can see that the fans are very concerned about their club. They fear that the second division could become normal for the club. For this reason I do not take the criticism personally at all,” said the coach.
Grammozis: Schalke 04 don’t play too defensively!
Grammozis was much more worried about the game system’s criticism. The three-way chain is the best variant for his team and by no means too defensive, as he is accused of. “This whole discussion is too superficial for me,” the coach annoyed and added: “And it’s just wrong.”
His team have “scored the fourth most goals in the league, fired the most shots on goal. Is that too defensive?” Asked the 43-year-old.
It is more of a “fundamental issue in Germany” that the chain of three is frowned upon. “You immediately think of the bus that is parked in front of your own gate,” says Grammozis, which is wrong. “We interpret it differently, aggressively and aggressively.”
Within his team, the coach seems to have the support for the style of play. In general, the relationship between coach and team and the mood within the group of players – unlike in the relegation season – seem to be very good.
“The last time I was in quarantine for two weeks because of my corona infection, I talked a lot with the players on the phone. I felt that I could rely on the team personally,” said Grammozis.
Grammozis on the role of ferryman at FC Schalke 04
He is not often in the dressing room so that the players have the freedom to talk about something without the coach. But: “When I walk past the locker room and see how they laugh, how they treat each other, then I have a good feeling.”
He could also rely on Ralf Fährmann, who was demoted to number two in September. “He has a very important word. When he speaks, everyone else listens. And I think it’s great how he intervenes in training, criticizing the players if necessary,” said Grammozis and added: “I’m really happy that I have him. Even though I know of course that he is not satisfied with his role. “
When asked who the craziest players on the team are, Grammozis said: “Darko Churlinov and Rodrigo Zalazar are already at the front. They tell most of the nonsense”. Such characters are needed for a good mood.
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