Karel Geraerts

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Karel Geraerts positive after Mittersill training camp

With S04’s training camp in Mittersill now complete, head coach Karel Geraerts is looking back on his side’s time in the Hohe Tauern national park with satisfaction. “All of the players have been working well,” says Geraerts. “Nobody picked up any serious injuries.” The only fitness issue in the S04 squad is a muscle problem for Bryan Lasme.

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Karel Geraerts: We need to strike a better balance

Karel Geraerts came away from S04’s curtailed pre-season friendly against FC Midtjylland having been pleased by several aspects of his side’s play. However, after the Royal Blues’ 4-2 defeat – called off due to torrential rain in Saalfelden – their head coach knows that there are still plenty of improvements to be made ahead of the new season.

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Karel Geraerts on this week’s training sessions, the pre-season tournament in Meppen and ticket sales

It goes without saying that FC Schalke 04’s aim at the Nevernot Cup on Saturday (6/7) was to finish first and come away with the trophy, but the Royal Blues ended up in second place following a 1-0 loss against Kickers Emden and a 4-2 victory over hosts SV Meppen.

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Karel Geraerts: Marc and Ben have been working around the clock

After a break of just over a month since the end of the league season, Karel Geraerts welcomed his side back for their first training session ahead of the next campaign on Wednesday. Afterwards, S04’s head coach spoke about his squad, his aims for the season and questions around the captaincy.

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Karel Geraerts: We didn’t take our chances to go in front

On the 34th and final matchday of the 2. Bundesliga season, FC Schalke 04 fell to a 2-0 defeat against SpVgg Greuther Fürth on Sunday (19/5). The head coaches of both sides, Karel Geraerts and Alexander Zorniger, spoke about the clash after the final whistle. Taylan Bulut, who made his debut for the Royal Blues’ first team, was also interviewed after the game.

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Karel Geraerts: We want to finish the season positively

The last game of the season on Sunday (19/5, 15:30 CEST) doesn’t carry much importance in terms of the table for SpVgg Greuther Fürth and FC Schalke 04. However, S04 head coach Karel Geraerts doesn’t want his side to give anything away. “We want to finish the season positively,” emphasised the 42-year-old ahead of the clash at the Sportpark Ronhof.

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Karel Geraerts: A nice way to cap off an important week

S04 head coach Karel Geraerts looked back at his side’s 2-1 win over Hansa Rostock on Saturday (11/5). The Belgian was happy with the final scoreline, despite not being too impressed by the Royal Blues’ first-half display. Rostock coach Mersad Selimbegović also spoke after the game, while Thomas Ouwejan and Ibrahima Cissé were interviewed in the Mixed Zone. Read what the coaches and players had to say below.

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Karel Geraerts: That’s the magic of Schalke

Schalke 04 were able to breathe a sigh of relief after a 4-0 win in the rearranged away fixture against VfL Osnabrück 4 secured their spot in next season’s second division. The Royal Blues will now be able to play without the pressing threat of relegation as they prepare to face Hansa Rostock at home on Saturday, 11th May (13:00 CEST). Instead, now in seventeenth place and in immediate danger of sinking into the 3. Liga, Schalke’s upcoming opponents will be the ones feeling the heat this coming weekend, and will need to put up a fight against S04 if they want to stand a chance of visiting the VELTINS-Arena again next season.

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Karel Geraerts: My players were on it from the word go

A full spectrum of emotions was on show following FC Schalke 04’s 4-0 win over VfL Osnabrück on Tuesday (7/5). The Royal Blues were feeling a great deal of relief after mathematically guaranteeing their spot in the 2. Bundesliga for next year, whereas disappointment is the overriding emotion for the Purple-Whites, whose relegation to the 3- Liga was sealed with the loss at the Millerntor-Stadion. We’ve collated all the post-match reaction here.

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Karel Geraerts: If we carry on like this, we’ll be tough to beat

Following a frantic final few minutes at the VELTINS-Arena on Saturday evening (27/4), the controversial call to overturn a penalty for FC Schalke 04 proved to be a hot topic after the final whistle. Everyone involved in the game came to the conclusion, however, that the 1-1 draw between the Royal Blues and Fortuna Düsseldorf was a fair result. Karel Geraerts, Fortuna head coach Daniel Thioune and Kenan Karaman all spoke to the media after the match.

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Karel Geraerts: Playing every game to win

FC Schalke 04 will take on Fortuna Düsseldorf in front of a sold-out crowd at the VELTINS-Arena for a prime-time clash on Saturday (27/4, 20:30 CEST). The visitors currently sit third in the table and are on a fine run of form, having won their past six league games in a row with an overall scoreline of 16-1. “We’re coming up against a strong opponent,” acknowledged S04 head coach Karel Geraerts.

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Karel Geraerts: We can’t afford to take it easy

FC Schalke 04 will be hoping to use the momentum from their crucial 2-0 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg when they take on SV Elversberg in a competitive away game for the first time on Friday evening (19/4, 18:30 CEST).