Karel Geraerts Archive

Karel Geraerts: We are flexible – which is just what we want to be

Competitive football is back! After six weeks of pre-season, including the training camp in Mittersill and a number of friendlies, FC Schalke 04 host Eintracht Braunschweig on matchday 1 of the new season at the VELTINS-Arena on Saturday night (3/8) at 20:30 CEST. Karel Geraerts is looking forward to the start of the 2024/25 campaign: “I’m excited about the atmosphere at the ground. We feel ready to put in a good performance,” said the head coach.

2. Bundesliga

Aug 2, 2024

Karel Geraerts on the game against Leeds, his starting XI and tactical flexibility

Head coach Karel Geraerts wasn’t unhappy after FC Schalke 04’s 2-0 friendly defeat against Leeds United on Saturday (27/7), though he stressed that “he wasn’t happy with the result.” Ultimately though, the result of the game played at SV Westfalia Rhynern’s ground wasn’t the most important thing.

Friendly

Jul 28, 2024

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.

Training Camp

Jul 14, 2024

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.

Friendly

Jul 11, 2024

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.

2. Bundesliga

Jul 7, 2024

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.

2. Bundesliga

Jun 26, 2024

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.

2. Bundesliga

May 19, 2024

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.

2. Bundesliga

May 17, 2024

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.

2. Bundesliga

May 11, 2024

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.

2. Bundesliga

May 10, 2024

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.

2. Bundesliga

May 7, 2024

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.

2. Bundesliga

Apr 28, 2024