Matthias Tillmann: We had clear criteria when searching for a new coach

Ben Manga, who has known van Wonderen for several years and has followed his career path closely, shares Tillmann’s views. “My team and I don’t just scout players, but coaches as well,” reported the club’s director for squad planning, scouting and the youth academy. Manga revealed that he had been in contact with the Dutch coach a few years ago. “The first conversation was really pleasant. As we liked his idea of football, we started to watch his teams play games. That allowed us to get to know him better as a coach, to see how he sets his sides up and how he organises each game.” Once the decision was made to part company with Karel Geraerts, van Wonderen was one of the candidates to replace him, owing to the fact that he fits into the style and approach FC Schalke 04 want to follow.

“We had clear criteria for our search for a new coach. Kees was the candidate that impressed us the most in the end,” explained Tillmann. “We were looking for somebody that has a clear approach, someone that can develop a team and can work with younger players.” These are all things that apply to van Wonderen, who has experience in both club and international football. Whilst in charge of the Dutch U17s side, van Wonderen guided them to the 2018 European Championship title, demonstrating how well he can work with youngsters.

Manga added: “We spoke with several candidates. The important thing was that we have a coach that wants to follow the same path we have set as a club.” Manga revealed that three coaches fulfilled all the criteria. As a result, Manga and Tillmann looked more closely at the trio: “Kees prevailed in the end because he fully convinced us.”

There was also another reason why the Dutchman was chosen in the end: “We wanted somebody that would bring a lot of energy and could motivate the team,” commented the club’s CEO, who himself noticed van Wonderen’s motivation when they met in the Netherlands. “Our first conversation with him was at his home. We firstly ate together and then sat on the sofa because he wanted to show us something on his TV,” reported Tillmann.

Tillmann praised the presentation, describing it as very impressive and well-prepared. “Kees was bursting with energy and that was great. You have to be able to connect with the team and ensure that they are behind you and your ideas. I’d not experienced something like it before and I think it was far more impressive than the other candidates,” said Tillmann. At the same time, S04’s CEO felt van Wonderen came across as very disciplined and structured. “Kees had already done a lot of homework on the club and the team. He knew the name of every single player at his first training session. That impressed both me and the players,” admired Tillmann. “Kees demands a lot from his team and his staff, but also from himself. At the same time, he has already shown that he wants to get to know the people that work auf Schalke and understand how the club works.”

Tillmann feels that it’s important for the coach to create a structure on the pitch and within the separate parts of the team. “We’ve conceded too many goals already this season, we know that. We have to shore things up at the back and then look to attack based on this solidity. Kees has already presented us with some really good ideas of how to do that.”

The CEO remains confident in the quality of the team. “We believe in the plan and the path we’ve chosen. That’s why we formed the squad the way we did. It was therefore really important to me personally that we made sure we found a coach that fits the path we’re on, a coach that doesn’t just think about the short term, but also understands that we want to develop as a club and develop the team together,” summarised the 40-year-old.

Van Wonderen’s first game in charge is the friendly on Saturday (12/10) at FC Aarau. His first league match is a week later in Hannover.