Pre-season begins: Players greeted with applause from several hundred fans

21 players took to the field at 15:15 CEST and were met with applause from the onlooking supporters. All interested fans had been able to apply for a free ticket in advance, with all hygiene and distancing regulations being observed in the stand.

Among them were six new arrivals: former S04 youth player Danny Latza (signed from 1. FSV Mainz 05), Marcin Kaminski (VfB Stuttgart), Thomas Ouwejan (AZ Alkmaar, spent the last season on loan at Udinese), Victor Pálsson (SV Darmstadt 98), Reinhold Ranftl (LASK Linz) and Simon Terodde (Hamburger SV). Ahmed Kutucu was also present. The attacker had ended the previous campaign on loan at Dutch top flight side Heracles Almelo.

Reinforcements in the coaching staff

The fans present at Parkstadion as well as the several thousand viewers watching the free live stream on the club’s official YouTube channel were also able to see four new members of the coaching team. Wil Coort has replaced Simon Henzler as goalkeeping coach. The 60-year-old Dutchman has worked at various top European clubs throughout his career, such as Ajax, FC Porto, Zenit St. Petersburg and Olympique Marseille, among others.

There were new arrivals in the fitness and rehabilitation department. Quirin Löppert left the club upon his own request at the end of last season, while Sebastian Klein also left and has since joined Belgian first division side VV St. Truiden. The pair have been replaced by new head of fitness Jörn Menger, who has joined from VfL Bochum, fitness coach Alexander Storck (most recently at DAC Dunajska Streda in Slovakia), and fitness and rehabilitation coach Michael Schwerhoff, who has moved up from the youth team to the first team squad.

Ranftl and Mercan combine for first goal

In summer temperatures, a short warm-up was followed by various passing and small group drills. To end the session, Dimitrios Grammozis had the squad split into two teams of ten players each – nine field players and one goalkeeper – who played against each other on a slightly reduced pitch. Levent Mercan scored the first training goal of the new season after an assist from new signing Reinhold Ranftl.

Later return date for several players

Seven players from the current squad did not take part in the opening session. While Ozan Kabak, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Liverpool, is currently on duty with the Turkish national team at the European Championship, and Rabbi Matondo, who was also out on loan last season, is still on summer break after being involved with the Wales national team until shortly before the EUROs. Matondo is therefore expected back at Schalke a little later than his teammates after discussions with the club. Matthew Hoppe was also not present; the attacker is currently away with the US national team.

In addition, Amine Harit (muscle), Omar Mascarell (ear infection) and Markus Schubert (illness) were absent, as well as Mark Uth. The attacker has been given a release until the end of the current week in order to clarify his footballing future.