FC Schalke 04: Coach Karel Geraerts faces sacking after third defeat of the season

Karel Geraerts has a feeling of what is coming. It could be a “very turbulent week,” said the FC Schalke 04 coach after the 0:2 (0:1) defeat at Karlsruher SC on Friday evening – the third defeat in five games this season in the second Bundesliga.

It is difficult to predict what exactly will happen in the coming week and whether the Belgian’s job will be at stake. Because at Schalke, the lines of conflict within the traditional club were already clearly visible before the party – and there are obviously very different opinions when it comes to evaluating the coach’s work. Geraerts has been Schalke’s coach since October 2023.

The fact is that there has been anything but a harmonious understanding between Geraerts and squad planner Ben Manga for weeks. The conflict became apparent at the beginning of the Bundesliga break almost two weeks ago.

Ben Manga, who has been working for the Royal Blues since May and had a significant influence on the composition of the team, had publicly and unusually harshly criticized Geraerts. “The coach makes the team line-up, not me.” “If he thinks that so-and-so has to play – then that’s how it is,” Manga said.

And in doing so, he expressed his incomprehension that the central defenders he signed, Felipe Sánchez (20) and Martin Wasinski (20), had hardly been used or not used at all up to that point. Sanchez was brought in from Argentina, Wasinski from Belgium.

“Both players have played in the first league in their countries. Anyone who has ever played in Argentina knows what it’s like to play there – there’s war on the pitch. And if a young player has played there, then in my opinion he should also play against Magdeburg, Darmstadt or whoever,” said Manga.

Geraerts took this as interference in his affairs. “Everyone has to take responsibility for their words.” “I’m not going to get into polemics,” he responded angrily. There was no discussion between Geraerts and Manga – partly because the squad planner had gone on vacation in the past few days.

The divide between Geraerts and Manga is deep

In Karlsruhe, Geraerts made an unexpected personnel change: Sánchez and Wasinski formed the center of defense. When asked why he did this, the coach replied sarcastically: “I don’t know if that was that surprising. It has been said for weeks that both have to play.” A statement that shows how deep the rifts are between Geraerts and Manga.

This does not make crisis management any easier. Friday’s performance suggested that the team primarily needs a constructive and less personalized form of criticism to get back on track. Schalke’s commitment was good, but it was individual and tactical errors that led to the defeat.

In the first half, the Royal Blues did not manage to shoot at the opponent’s goal even once – then the defense made a serious mistake that led to the 0:1 goal by Budu Zivzivadze (45.+3). Sánchez, of all people, lost a duel – Wasinski, of all people, was unable to clear the situation. “There is no comment on that,” said Geraerts on Sky: “It was adults against youth players, poorly defended.”

After the break, the team fought back briefly and put KSC under pressure. But right in the middle of Schalke’s strongest phase, the score was 0:2, also by Zivzivadze (73′). Geraerts was able to conclude that his team had “given everything” despite all their shortcomings.

This alone is unlikely to be enough to indicate that a turnaround is imminent – ​​let alone to help silence the coach’s critics.

Marc Wilmots, Schalke’s sporting director, tried to limit the damage after the final whistle. “I just want to say one thing: There is no discussion about the coach,” he told the Funke Media Group. “Even if many people think differently: We’re continuing to work, I have no doubts.”

This is unlikely to apply to Ben Manga, who is officially subordinate to Wilmot.