Thomas Reis: We need to be proud to wear these colours and be motivated to achieve

“I’m pleased to have taken on this task,” said Reis, who having previously worked in numerous roles at VfL Bochum as well as a three-year stint as U19 coach at VfL Wolfsburg, has been named FC Schalke 04’s new head coach. Also new to the coaching staff is assistant Markus Gellhaus, who worked closely with Reis in Bochum. “The coaching group have to be on the same page,” said Reis, who looks forward to working along the current training staff including Matthias Kreutzer, Beniamino Molinaro, Mike Büskens, Gerald Asamoah and co.

Enchant the supporters and show unconditional fight

The situation that the Royal Blues find themselves in at the moment is by no means an easy one, according to Reis, but he was keen to underline that it makes the task in fact rather interesting. In addition, he reaffirms that Schalke 04 is a huge club, which boasts “a great stadium, and fantastic fans.” “It’s important that we get some stability going and enchant the supporters,” said Reis, who also counts on a sense of community and unconditional will to fight as important in the fight to stay up. “What will be decisive is that the team gives everything and that nobody is able to say after the season that they didn’t try hard enough,” said the new coach of the Knappen. His biggest motivation is to lift Schalke 04 off the bottom of the table: “I am hungry for success, eager to do so with this team.”

Move forward together

The whole team all want to improve the current situation. The new coach wants to ensure that he connects with the players to that they can do it together. “I am trying to provide stability to thie team. They tried hard in Berlin and were unfortunately not rewarded. That’s where we’re going to start.”

Reis explained that he will give every player equal opportunity to show themselves. “I would like to approach this task with an open mind,” the coach said, who is waiting for training before deciding which members of his squad are best suited to the take on SC Freiburg on Sunday. There are still  a few games left until the winter break with which the team can defy some of the negative opinions surrounding it. Reis added: “We need to be proud to wear these colours and be motivated to achieve.”