Schalke 04 remain in danger of relegation in the Bundesliga 2, the performance in the 0:1 in Kiel raises questions. Is that down to coach Karel Geraerts?

Despite the negative trend in the second half of the season, FC Schalke 04 is not considering another change of coach. Sporting director Marc Wilmots expressed his confidence in coach Karel Geraerts after the poor performance and the 1-0 (0-0) defeat at second-placed Holstein Kiel.

“A change of coach is not an issue for me. The most important thing for me is continuity. Schalke 04 has changed coaches often enough. Karel is doing a good job, I’m at every training session. We don’t have a coaching problem,” said Wilmots. What he didn’t say, but probably meant: The squad planning in the summer of 2023 was too poor, the professionals are not strong enough.

Geraerts took over as Schalke coach from Thomas Reis on October 6. His record is average. Of twelve second division matches, Schalke won five, drew one and lost six. Added to this is the cup exit at second division leaders FC St. Pauli (1:2 after extra time). The hope that Geraerts would succeed in leading Schalke, who are in danger of relegation, at least into mid-table has not yet been fulfilled. On the contrary: after the defeat in the far north, the lead over the direct relegation places is now only two points. The existential fear is greater than ever before.

Schalke coach Geraerts: “We need consistency”

In contrast to his first few weeks, Geraerts has had three weeks to work with the entire squad in preparation this winter. In addition, almost all players are now fit and a long injury list is no longer an excuse. Nevertheless, Schalke lost three of their four games in 2024, two of them after subterranean performances – before the Kiel defeat, S04 had also surrendered almost defencelessly in Kaiserslautern (1:4)

What speaks for Geraerts: He can’t help the poor squad planning and the fact that he didn’t get the desired ad hoc reinforcements in the winter transfer period either, but only two professionals who still need time to reach their top level (Darko Churlinov, Brandon Soppy). The 42-year-old Belgian has tried out enough – many players were given a chance in the starting eleven, for example. There were also strategies with three-man and four-man defenses, one-on-one discussions, video analyses, loud speeches at the break, quiet speeches at the break. But what is missing?

Geraerts puts it this way himself: “We simply need consistency.” He doesn’t want to give up: “We can’t stop now, we have to keep fighting. There’s a lot worth fighting for.” He himself wants to set a good example – and is allowed to do so