Online Workshop: Schalke Officials train Chinese Youth Coaches in Hebei

Sam Farokhi and Kai Brock, coaches at Schalke’s Knappenschmiede and soccer school, reported live by video call from Gelsenkirchen and presented the philosophy of Schalke’s youth department.

In addition to providing example training units for the under-11 to under-14 teams, the focus was on game analysis and scouting methods. Each unit ended with a casual question and answer session. Both sides were very happy to see each other again and to exchange personal experiences.

“In these challenging times, we and our Chinese friends have once again come closer together. Our trainers put together a program that, although not replacing the planned exchange on site, was largely able to compensate for it. We are all the more looking forward to hopefully being able to accompany the CFFC coaching team on site soon,” said Peter Knäbel, Schalke’s Director of Knappenschmiede and Development, about the digital training.

The partnership between Schalke and CFFC has existed since 2018 and is unique in German football. Schalke helps the club, which was only founded in 2015, in particular in setting up youth training based on the model of Schalke’s youth department – the Knappenschmiede.

During the corona pandemic, both clubs have also helped each other off the pitch – for example by donating masks or supporting the league restart.