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Jakob Fimpel: Inject new energy and power
FC Schalke 04 play away against Preußen Münster on Saturday evening (28/9). After three straight defeats and the departure of the head coach, the Royal Blues are hoping a fresh start can get them back on track.
Jakob Fimpel described the past few days as “extremely intense.” After former head coach Karel Geraerts left the club on Saturday, the boss of the U23s was named interim coach for the first team for the coming two games. “I didn’t take long to think about it, it’s a fantastic experience for me,” said the 35-year-old.
Fimpel is positive after his first few days of work together with the squad. “We’ve stepped things up with each day and had some really good training sessions, leaving me with a good feeling for Saturday.” He got to work on Monday with the team after meeting them properly for the first time last weekend. “We’re only looking to the future and not thinking about what’s happened. The only thing that matters to me this week is the game in Münster.”
We need to give the players their confidence back. We have some really good players who can decide games, especially in attack.
Fimpel reduced the size of the training group as he aimed to ‘focus the whole power on the squad’. The interim coach stressed that, during his short spell in charge, his own ideas and philosophies for football are not what matter. “The most important thing first of all is that we get the lads in situations they feel comfortable in and are good at.”
A large part of the preparations for Münster have therefore involved close discussions between Fimpel and the team. “I’m fresh in the job and can inject some new energy and power,” he added. “We need to give the players their confidence back. We have some really good lads who can decide games, especially in attack.” The basis of his work has been a number of individual conversations, while he also feels the team spirit is a strength. “Everyone gets on well with one another. The character within our team gives us a great chance of getting out of this predicament.”
Trio unavailable, Tempelmann back
The interim coach will be without central midfielders Paul Seguin and Janik Bachmann, who are still unavailable. Adrian Gantenbein also remains on the sidelines. However, Lino Tempelmann has been back in training this week after spending several months working on his rehabilitation from injury. “He’s fresh and full of beans. He provides us with quality and he’s therefore a real option for the squad,” explained Fimpel.
