Rouven Schröder: The lads are eager to get to work, which is what we want to see

Pre-season has been underway in Gelsenkirchen since last week, with the first competitive game of the season coming up in a month’s time. Sporting director Rouven Schröder spoke about the positive impressions he’s been able to gather from the team during this time, and added that he continues to work hard on planning next season’s squad.

Inside

23.06.21, 15:56

Rouven Schröder

“We’ve made further progress with some of the departures we’ve announced over the past weeks,” Schröder said in reference to Suat Serdar, Mark Uth and Sebastian Rudy. Further new arrivals and farewells are expected to still be announced. 

Two weeks ago, the club announced a new addition to the coaching staff, with Wil Coort joining as the new goalkeeping coach. “Wil is a coach that really focuses on the footballing side of things,” Schröder said. According to the sporting director, goalkeepers Ralf Fährmann, Markus Schubert and Michael Langer have been performing well during pre-season so far. “The lads are eager to get to work, which is what we want to see,” he said.

Strengthening the team spirit at training camp

The 45-year-old added that no one in the squad will get away with taking it easy. “Anyone who thinks they can take it easy will find it difficult to get playing time,” said Schröder. “That has to sink in, without sacrificing any fun. So far, Schröder said that he has witnessed a very focused effort from the team, with head coach Dimitrios Grammozis giving clear instructions. “We all have the feeling that everyone is working for the team,” said Schröder. 

Over the course of an upcoming training camp in the Hohe Tauern National Park region, where the team will stay from 29th June to 10th July, the aim will be to strengthen the team spirit. “I’m looking forward to training camp in order to form a closer bond to the team, given that we will be spending 24 hours a day together,” said Schröder, who has already gotten a “great impression from the lads” on a personal level.

This Friday (25th June), the DFL will announce the fixture list for the 2021/22 season. “We’re all looking forward to finding out when and who we’ll be opening the season against,” said Schröder, who would prefer to begin with a home game at the VELTINS-Arena with as many fans as possible in attendance. “I can’t wait for it to be matchday again and for us to show what we’ve got!”

Seite teilen