Chairman Matthias Tillmann reviews his first weeks in office and addresses criticism from the fan scene.

Matthias Tillmann (40) has been responsible for the fortunes of FC Schalke 04 as CEO since January 1 – and has also observed a sporting downturn for the former promotion favorites. In his first six weeks in office, the former Trivago boss caused a stir with his new strategic direction. In an interview on the club’s own homepage, he looks back on his first few weeks at Schalke and explains his approach.

Tillmann openly explained that the former Bundesliga club could make staff cuts in the future. The structures are to be “streamlined” and those responsible want to “fill every vacancy and not automatically fill positions”.

Is Tillmann handing over more and more of the club’s rights?

Instead, the sales force is to be structurally strengthened by an external service provider – a concern of S04 fans, who fear that more and more of the club’s own rights could be handed over as a result. “Contrary to the headlines, this has nothing to do with the sale of marketing rights. We are not selling anything, we are buying a service,” says Tillmann.

The requirements profile has changed from a sporting and economic perspective as a result of the second relegation in a short space of time. The tasks have become much greater. An external spin-off offers the advantage of a broader network. As a disadvantage, the CEO mentions the ties to partners and the commission due. The catering in the Veltins Arena has always been operated by a subsidiary that is wholly owned by FC Schalke 04. The club would therefore have full control over the offer.

Schalke is in financial distress – also due to the table situation

These topics are particularly hotly debated in the Schalke environment because the financial situation of the Gelsenkirchen club is not looking good. Tillmann was asked whether this is currently causing a lot of decisions to be made: “If possible, strategic decisions should not be made under pressure. The financial situation is still tight, that is true, but we are not currently forced to do things that we are not strategically convinced of,” he says.

It is therefore all the more important to adjust the revenue and cost structures now so that decisions can be made in the future based on content rather than necessity. The sporting situation of the current 14th-placed team in the second division also plays a role here: if the table situation does not improve significantly, TV income will decrease considerably.

The question of a “change of legal form” has been on the minds of the Royal Blues’ supporters for months. This refers to the question of whether Schalke’s professional division should be spun off. Schalke’s former chairman of the supervisory board, Clemens Tönnies, recently brought up the spin-off of FC Schalke 04’s professional division in 2020 shortly before his resignation. A proposal that met with criticism from the fan camp. Tillmann refrained from doing so for the time being. “In the current situation, that would make little sense, other ideas are currently being discussed.”

Fans feel betrayed by Schalke’s squad planning

Fans also feel cheated with regard to the squad planning, as Schalke managers spoke of “strong decisions” in the run-up to the winter transfers. The Royal Blues lost four players and added two new faces in Brandon Soppy and Darko Churlinov. “The coach wanted to reduce the squad and at the same time strengthen the right side of defense and the creative offensive play. (…) In winter, the options are traditionally limited and the market is complicated.”

When asked about the possible opposition that has been hanging over the Veltins Arena like a haze for several weeks, Tillmann responded evasively: “It is completely normal for fans and members to worry about their club in difficult times. We understand that and that’s why we invite everyone to talk to us about it. “