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Marc Wilmots and Karel Geraerts leave S04 with immediate effect
After intensive conversations, the FC Schalke 04 board have decided to part ways with sporting director Marc Wilmots and head coach Karel Geraerts with immediate effect. This was shared with both of them in private conversations on Saturday (21/9). Geraerts‘ assistant Tim Smolders has also left the club.
“The board’s decision not to continue on this journey with Karel Geraerts is not based on the lack of results and the defeat against Darmstadt alone, but more so on the negative total development over the past few weeks. Tactically, and from a footballing perspective, we haven’t taken the necessary step, neither as a team nor with regards to individual players. As a result, we are stuck near the bottom of the table after a third of the first half of the season,” explained CEO Matthias Tillmann.
On the departure of sporting director Marc Wilmots, Tillmann said: “We have realised in the last few weeks that there were differing views in terms of how and in what direction the football at Schalke should develop. From the point of view of the board, however, it is crucially important that a common approach is being followed in the sporting leadership of the club. There must be agreement over the future direction of the first team. That was no longer the case.” S04’s CEO held the final talks with Wilmots and emphasises: “We thank Marc for all of the work he has done and the role that he played in the second half of last season – as a stabilising influence on the way to staying up. As a Eurofighter, Marco is a legend at Schalke and will always remain so, so he is always very welcome here.”
Jakob Fimpel will take over on an interim basis until the international break. We’ve known the work he’s done with the U23s for a long time now, and he will be able to prepare the team well for the two games remaining before the international break.
Ben Manga, director of squad planning, scouting and the academy will take over responsibility for the sporting side of operations for the time being. Tillmann: “It has already been agreed that we will look for someone to fill the position of sporting director. We will use the coming weeks to look at various profiles,” said Tillmann. “The person selected must fully identify with our chosen path of supporting and developing young players, in order to do everything together to ensure the success of Schalke 04 — this ultimately takes precedence over any individual.”
The club’s top priority will be to find a new head coach, with the search being conducted jointly by Ben Manga and the board. “Jakob Fimpel will take over on an interim basis until the international break. We’ve known the work he’s done with the U23s for a long time now, and he will be able to prepare the team well for the two games remaining before the international break. We will use this time to select a new head coach, with concrete talks already beginning today,” explained Tillmann.
