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Frank Baumann on restructuring: Optimising structures to secure Schalke’s future
Schalke 04 announced changes in their sporting setup on Monday (22/9). Under the leadership of board member for sport Frank Baumann, the club has decided to review its structures and adapt them to future needs. In conversation with schalke04.de, Baumann explained the reasons behind the restructuring and its intended goals.
Frank, Schalke 04 has announced structural changes in scouting, recruitment and the Knappenschmiede. What lies behind this restructuring?
Over the past few months, we’ve carried out a comprehensive review of our sporting department, with the transfer window playing an important role in that process. We found that while we are very well set up in some areas, there is room for improvement in others. Our aim is to create clear responsibilities and to shape the structures in a way that allows us to work even more effectively. In particular, we want to make scouting and youth development more future-focused, so that we can identify, attract and nurture exciting players and talents at an early stage. This restructuring is an important step towards ensuring Schalke 04 can be sustainably successful.
As part of these changes, Schalke is parting company with Ben Manga. How do you view his time at the club, and what led to this decision?
Ben joined Schalke 04 during a difficult period and provided impulses that helped move us forward. He deserves our thanks for that. The decision to end the collaboration is the result of our strategic realignment. We’ve chosen to further develop these areas with targeted adjustments and to pursue our defined strategy even more consistently. From our perspective, just after the close of the summer transfer window is the right moment for change.
The strategy is based on the club’s defined philosophy, independent of individuals.
Scouting and recruitment are central to this restructuring. What will be the focus going forward, and how should the club be positioned in this area?
We have a clear vision. The strategy is based on the club’s philosophy, independent of individuals, though of course its implementation depends heavily on the right people being in place – which is why we are putting so much emphasis on choosing the right profiles for these positions. We’ve made significant progress with data scouting in recent months. Matthias Tillmann initiated this process a year ago and laid a strong foundation. With our own scouting app and the Schalke DNA built into its algorithms, we now have a tool that helps us identify player profiles more quickly and analyse them more precisely. The next step is to optimise the interplay between live, video and data scouting. This combination of technology, teamwork and a clear strategic framework will help us gain an edge in the race for talent.
The Knappenschmiede has long been one of Schalke 04’s calling cards. What role does it play in the new structure, and how do you plan to develop youth work further?
The Knappenschmiede remains a cornerstone of our overall strategy. Beyond producing players who have delivered great sporting and financial value to the club, we’ve also made progress in other areas. In recent years, we’ve placed great emphasis on rejuvenating the U23s to better position them as a bridge between the academy and the first team. Tim Hoogland and Volkan Ünlü, for example, were long-time U19 assistant coaches and are now part of the senior coaching staff. That shows how much importance we place on linking the academy with the professional setup. At the same time, we face the challenge of positioning ourselves more strongly in the battle for young talent. That means sharpening our strategic approach in both player and coach development, and making even better use of the synergies between the academy and the first team.
