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Jakob Fimpel assumes first-team duties for the remainder of the season
After a four-match winless run, the board and the sporting management came to the decision on Friday evening (02/05) to relieve head coach Kees van Wonderen and his assistant Robert Molenaar of their duties with immediate effect. The disappointing performances in the defeats to Kaiserslautern (2-1) and Paderborn (2-0) played a key role in the decision.
“The performances and the development over the past two weeks have given cause for concern. We’re only six points clear of the relegation play-off spot and we’re heading in the wrong direction. That is why we have decided to react now. We have a responsibility to the club,” said Youri Mulder, director of professional football at S04. “We would like to thank Kees and Robert for their efforts and wish them all the best for the future.”
U23s coach Jakob Fimpel will take over in the dugout for the remaining two games of the 2024/25 season – away at Fortuna Düsseldorf and at the VELTINS-Arena against SV Elversberg. “We’re very grateful to Jakob for taking on this task, which is of huge importance to the club,” added Mulder.
Fimpel already led the first team for the games against Preußen Münster (2-1 win) and Hertha BSC (2-2) in the first half of the season. “No matter who you speak to, you get the same response: Jakob made a very positive impression during those games back in autumn. He gets through to the players on an emotional level, will give them clear structure for training and the games, and will demand the maximum output from every individual.”
It’s about embracing the challenge in this final push and taking to the pitch with the right mindset every day.
The 36-year-old coach has been at Schalke since 2013 and his primary role is as head coach of the club’s under-23 team. “The situation is very different to the one in autumn – I’m very much aware of that. It’s about embracing the challenge in this final push and taking to the pitch with the right mindset every day,” insisted Fimpel.
Mulder summed up the goal for the coming two weeks briefly and concisely: “We need at least one point to guarantee our safety, and it’s in our own hands. We expect everyone to give their all and put their heart and soul into it.”
