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FC Schalke 04 enters into partnership with FC Aarau
S04 has gained another international partner: second-tier Swiss side FC Aarau will work closely with the Royal Blues for the foreseeable future. One of the key aims of the agreement is to offer youth prospects match experience at a suitable level and thus aid the development of these talents.
FC Aarau and Schalke 04 will also benefit from the exchange of information and a joint scouting network. Aarau join VVV-Venlo as a strategic partner, whose partnership with S04 was announced at the beginning of June.
“We are delighted to have gained another club as a strategic partner in FC Aarau. In our discussions with their management, we identified many similarities between our clubs and key advantages for all parties,” says Ben Manga, Schalke’s director of squad planning, scouting and the youth academy.
In our discussions with their management, we identified many similarities between our clubs and key advantages for all parties.
The partnership will see the two clubs take a holistic approach to the coaching of talented young players, giving them fresh opportunities on their path to the S04 first team. In turn, Aarau will benefit from access to the excellent Knappenschmiede training facilities. In addition, the clubs will share information in various areas, including scouting, commercial intelligence and player data. Schalke’s former sporting director Peter Knäbel, who will remain at the club in an advisory capacity until the end of the month, played a key role in the establishment of the cooperation.
Markus Mahler, chairman of the board of directors at FC Aarau, is looking forward to working with the Royal Blues: “Schalke is an impressive club with a storied history and great support in its local area. They will fit in well with the profile of FC Aarau and we have concluded from our discussions that a partnership will offer us a variety of mutual benefits. We are looking forward to a successful collaboration and would like to thank the FC Schalke 04 management for their trust.”
Friendly in Aarau in October
A special treat is in store for fans of both clubs on 12th October, when the Royal Blues visit Aarau for a friendly to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Brügglifeld stadium.
FC Aarau currently play in the Challenge League, the second division of the Swiss football pyramid. The club finished sixth in the league last season. The historic club from the canton of Aargau can trace their roots back to 1902.
