Youth Football Salaries: Elgert Reveals High Earnings

Norbert Elgert has been head of the Knappenschmiede at FC Schalke 04 since 1996. The 68-year-old is considered one of the most influential young coaches in Germany and has shaped the talent development of his club for decades. Numerous future national and top players were trained under Elgert, including Manuel Neuer, Mesut Özil, Benedikt Höwedes, Julian Draxler, Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka.

Elgert stands for a clear attitude, closeness to the players and a holistic approach in which character, discipline and personality are just as important as sporting quality. A conversation.

Ask: Mr. Elgert, do you have an idea of ​​how many players you have trained are currently playing in professional football?

Norbert Elgert: I keep lists of them according to the motto: The head forgets, paper doesn’t. There are currently around 80 players playing in the top three leagues in Germany and abroad. During the 30 years that I have been in this role, around 150 players have made the leap into professional football. We don’t want to praise ourselves, but the Knappenschmiede success story is one of the greatest in world football.

Ask: Which player surprised you the most in his development?

Elgert: I’d like to mention Joël Matip, who was talented but not above average. He worked his way to the top step by step through the basic virtues that I continually propagate. It showed me once again: talent is only the starting point, it only puts you in the door to professional football. Only willingness to make an effort, attitude, perseverance, hard work and resilience over a very long period of time can perhaps get you through this door.

Ask: Which player did you have to grind the most?

Elgert: In this context, Malick Thiaw’s path is probably the most exciting. He always played in defensive midfield up to the U19 level. He and his father also thought it was the perfect position for him because he would have to be on the ball a lot. After six months, my coaching team and I realized that central defense could be much more suitable for him. I told him: “Malick, you want to be a professional.” He said, “Sure, Coach!” – “Your chances would increase significantly if you tried out as a central defender.”

Ask: The reaction?

Elgert: For God’s sake (laughs). Dad wasn’t happy at all. I was able to convince both of them to at least try it out once. And it worked wonderfully from the first minute. Today he is a German national player in the position and can be proud of his path.

Ask: Do you keep in a lot of contact with your former protégés?

Elgert: Yes, but I don’t want to bask in the boys’ popularity and constantly annoy them. I’ll let you know if there’s anything special. For example, I spoke to Manuel Neuer on the phone and wrote to him when he had his last serious injury to encourage him. But also Vitalie Becker, for example, who recently scored his first goal for our professional team.

Ask: How do you prepare the players mentally for the big task at Schalke?

Elgert: It’s all connected, so I’d like to expand on that a bit. On the one hand, to be talented you need good technique, the ball has to obey you and your feet. Secondly, a good understanding of the game. Because the game is getting faster and faster, you have to read and understand the game even better and faster, as the space, opponent and time pressures are becoming ever greater. Third, good athleticism. You have to be in top shape, you need strength and, above all, pace and speed. We have already talked about the basic virtues, which is also a point. Then comes the mental strength you mentioned. For me that means being good when it counts. And we’re a little proud of that: the fact that the players from the Knappenschmiede were usually more ready for the Veltins Arena than players who came to the professionals from another club.

Ask: How do you do that?

Elgert: There are players who have this ability right from the start, for example Julian Draxler, Max Meyer, Sead Kolasinac. They didn’t think about this backdrop or this pressure at all. Others need more support. And that’s why I make a clear distinction between the terms “trainer” and “coach”. I coach people – and train football with them. Mental training is about body language, having a positive mental picture and eliminating negative thoughts. If I start thinking and doubting myself on the pitch, I’ve already lost. And most importantly: how to talk to yourself. My credo is: If no one speaks positively to you, then please do it yourself.

Ask: It is often said that the Elgert School is very hard…

Elgert: Not hard, but consistent. The boys have become more sensitive and I have adapted to that. When I give feedback, I first have to open people up by identifying their strengths. Then you can talk about weaknesses that you definitely need to improve. I tell the boys the things they need to hear, not the things they want to hear. There’s no wishy-washy attitude, but always respectful and never condescending. Today, trainers explain a lot more than before.

Ask: How specific was your thought of quitting in 2026? That’s what you announced until Schalke proudly announced at the general meeting that they would continue until 2027.

Elgert: That was very specific, otherwise I wouldn’t have put it into the world. There were several factors why I continued: Firstly, my family was very much in favor of it and was very supportive of my idea. On the other hand, the club management: Frank Baumann, a stroke of luck for Schalke, is also completely behind me. But crucially: my players, who still trust me despite the big age difference. And: Players also come to us because I’m still there.

Ask: What do you mean?

Elgert: That there are players who are now coming to our youth ranks or staying with us, who have made it a condition that I stay. Despite all my modesty, I’m a little proud of it. The fire in me still burns fiercely.

Ask: Will it finally end in summer 2027?

Elgert: I won’t set a deadline like that again anytime soon.

Ask: What do you plan to do after your coaching career?

Elgert: I think that I am very interested in the areas of coaching, mentoring and talent management. I would like to pass this on as a kind of advisor. And if we want each other, we’d be happy to continue here.

Ask: How is your interaction with head coach Miron Muslic?

Elgert: Good, respectful and appreciative from the start. I think Miron is a really good trainer because – we’re back on the subject – he’s not just a trainer, but also a coach. He has a clear idea of ​​the game, great assertiveness, and attitude is non-negotiable for him, just like it is for me. But he also gives his boys a loving hug. I see a lot of parallels between him and me.

Ask: What do you think he can do in his career?

Elgert: He is on a really good path and will certainly arouse the interest of other clubs. But I think it makes a lot of sense for him to stay here for a few more years. Because: Schalke is also a big club. I always tell my players: You don’t have to leave here quickly. We are still one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Ask: Was your contact with the head coaches always good?

Elgert: Different. But that’s not always crucial for me.

Ask: To what extent?

Elgert: The head coach has to win games. I am a specialist in training to become a professional. I’ve been focusing on this for 30 years. It is of the utmost importance to me that people fully trust me, my experience and my expertise.

Ask: It is often said to be about the right time for the talent to make the leap to the professionals.

Elgert: This is what I mean: The head coaches have no way of knowing that. And of course there were other opinions. I know what you’re getting at.

Ask: Because of Assan Ouédraogo, it should have crunched.

Elgert: At the time I said: “Let me have him here for a few more months because he’s not quite ready yet!” Unfortunately, that turned out to be extremely true.

Ask: He was pulled up and then had to deal with a lot of injuries.

Elgert: I would have much preferred it to be different, otherwise I wouldn’t be honest with the players. It was similar with Zaid Tchibara, and I also said that he would be better off staying with me for another two months. He also quickly suffered a serious injury while playing for the professionals. But I would like to make one thing clear.

Ask: Please.

Elgert: I also proactively told many players: The time has come! With Leroy Sané, for example, who was also promoted early, I did not veto anything. When it came to Taylan Bulut, I even recommended that he be included in the professional squad early on. I just expect people to trust me.

Ask: How do you react when you are outvoted – as was the case with Ouédraogo?

Elgert: It’s not about me, it’s just about the players and their future. You have to understand, I don’t work for my personal results, but for people. And the players have to be prepared so that they can play a positive role with the professionals. Pulling up too early shortens the training time. Only a strong foundation provides the necessary stability.

Ask: Has the fight for talent become more difficult in recent years?

Elgert: That’s how it is, yes. There are youth players who earn 30,000 euros or more a month. We don’t even come close to keeping up with that. If you’re not totally clear-headed, money kills motivation. Many youth academies are equipped with the finest facilities. That’s okay, although I think attitude definitely beats furnishings and too much comfort. It’s not easy to stay hungry and greedy in paradise. Other clubs now pay huge sums of money for advisors and parents. We recently had players who decided against us. When I heard where he was moving to instead, I knew straight away. When making decisions like this, it is often forgotten that players here are much more likely to become professionals.

Ask: Finally: Your best anecdote from 30 years as a Schalke grinder.

Elgert: In 2015 we played the final of the A-Junior championship against Hoffenheim. In front of 12,500 spectators in Wattenscheid. The game of the year for us. Leroy Sané was already part of the professional team, but also with us from time to time. The professional season was over and I really wanted to field Leroy. So I have Roberto Di Matteo (then head coach; d. Red.) called the day before and asked him if he had anything against it. After a long discussion he said: “But only half time!” So when Leroy wasn’t in the starting line-up, I was called crazy. Seen from the outside: absolutely right. After five minutes we fell behind – and then suddenly I didn’t care. I called out to Leroy, “Warm up!” A murmur went through the stadium. After 35 minutes I substituted him. In the end we won 3-1.

Ask: What was Di Matteo’s reaction?

Elgert: There were none. He was fired by those in charge on the day of our game.

The text was created for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT BILD, BILD) and first published in SPORT BILD.