After a long search, FC Schalke has found its coach for the new season. According to Sky Infos, Frank Kramer is to start the mission to stay up in the league on Tuesday. But does the ex-Bielefeld match the royal blues?
Despite relegation early and the certainty that Mike Büskens will not start the 2022/2023 season as S04 head coach, FC Schalke took their time when choosing a new coach.
They spoke to candidates like Daniel Farke (now Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Sandro Schwarz (Hertha BSC), who each chose other clubs. Then it got quiet for a while. Now stands behind Sky Info fixed: Ex-Bielefeld coach Kramer is to take over the Gelsenkirchner pros and be presented on Tuesday. Probably not Schalke’s first choice, which inevitably raises the question of whether the 50-year-old fits into the pot.
Kramer’s mentality fits the pot
In terms of attitude and mentality, the future S04 coach meets the club’s requirements. Kramer is a worker who fully commits to a team and puts his heart and soul into it. “Kramer is a very meticulous guy. He starts early in the morning and doesn’t finish until late in the evening. A laborer, as they say in Gelsenkirchen, that fits, of course,” thinks Sky Schalke reporter Dirk Grosse Schlarmann.
Before looking for a coach, Schalke created a clear profile. The new trainer must accept the project independently of the league and pull together with the officials. With Rouven Schröder, an old acquaintance of Kramer’s is responsible as sports director. You know and appreciate each other from the days you spent together at Greuther Fürth. Unlike in Bielefeld, the trainer at Schalke (for the time being) enjoys the 100% backing of the top management.
From a financial point of view, the candidate had to fit into the plans of the Royal Blues. Not only because there is no room for horrendous salary demands, at the same time it is important that the newcomer can start without his own team of trainers. Schalke will keep their promotions – also because a new circle would mean additional costs.
Talent development experience is a big plus
In terms of sport, it’s worth taking a look at Kramer’s past. Before his last station at Arminia, the 50-year-old was mainly active in the youth field. As coach of the U18, U19 and U20 teams of the DFB team, Kramer proved that he has a knack for developing young players. Successes with the juniors led him to Red Bull Salzburg in 2019, where he took over the management of the youth department and the management of the U19 team as a coach.
His experience in developing young talents is a big plus for the Neu-Schalke player. Knappenschmiede will continue to play an important role in the planning, also due to Schalke’s financial situation. The Royal Blues want and must continue to rely on talent from their own youth.
Kramer brings a backpack from Bielefeld
But in addition to successful work in the youth areas, Kramer can also look back on less successful times as head coach of Fortuna Düsseldorf (2015) and recently Bielefeld. The coach missed relegation, the big Schalke goal for the coming season, with Arminia. Shortly before the end of the season, the club even separated prematurely from the native of Memminger.
Afterwards, rumors circulated that some players had their problems with the coach. Stefan Ortega, who is the preferred candidate as the new number one at Schalke, also seems to be moving away from a Schalke change. It is unclear what part his ex-coach played in this decision. “Kramer brings a backpack from Bielefeld that he has to carry,” said Grosse Schlarmann.
Fans of Wahl auf Kramer disappointed
Arminen’s game was also increasingly criticized. A clear concept was often missing. The team tried their hand at attractive football, but with only 27 goals, the East Westphalians had the weakest offensive in the entire league. Even the defeated tail light from Fürth cheered once more than Arminia. With relegation as a consequence, the commitment of the coach does not exactly make Schalke fans happy.
“The first reactions are a bit disappointing. The name Kramer does not spread the sound that the fans would have liked,” explains Sky Reporters big rascals. Candidates like Raul or Xabi Alonso were called for, and the failed talks with Farke and Schwarz also caused skepticism. However, it is clear that Schalke does not have a free choice and that other clubs are simply more attractive for coaches and players at the moment.
“At Schalke it’s about positioning yourself differently and in a new way. It will also be the case with the new signings that you use a different shelf than the fans want. I mean that in a completely neutral way towards Frank Kramer,” according to the Schalke insider.
Schalke transfers now in sight
Regardless of Kramer’s decision, FC Schalke is now taking an important step towards preparing for the season. So far, planning has also stalled when it comes to transfers, as the gameplay has not yet been discussed. The requirement profiles for newcomers can now also be adapted to the trainer’s system. So far, Kramer has played in most stations with a defensive back four. If it stays that way, the formation of Schalke and possibly also the search for new players would change.
The first transfers are already in sight. “We assume that midfield talent Tom Krauss will be loaned out from Leipzig this week. Playmaker Florent Mollet from Montpellier is also said to come to FC Schalke. Alexander Schwolow – who is being traded as an alternative for keeper Ortega – is now to be loaned out. It will be A lot will definitely happen now,” predicts Schalke expert Große Schlarmann.
Despite the concerns of many Schalke, it is now important to let the new coach and the officials work in peace. Kramer needs a chance to rebuild the Bundesliga and convey his philosophy to the players. It remains to be seen what exactly that could look like in royal blue and whether the laborer’s work will bear fruit.
More about the author Lars Pricken
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