The CEO Matthias Tillmann looks back on his first few weeks in office and addresses points of criticism from the fan scene.

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

Tillmann openly explained that there could be staff cuts at the former Bundesliga club in the future. The structures are to be “streamlined”, with those in charge wanting to “leave every vacancy unfilled and not automatically fill positions”.

Is Tillmann increasingly giving up club rights?

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

The requirements profile has changed in both sporting and economic terms due to the second relegation in a short period of time. The tasks have become significantly larger. An external spin-off offers the advantage of a broader network. The disadvantage, according to the CEO, is the binding nature of the partner and the commission due. Catering in the Veltins Arena has always been handled by a subsidiary that is 100 percent owned by FC Schalke 04. This means that the club has full control over the range of services.

Schalke is in financial trouble – also due to its position in the league table

The topics are the subject of particularly heated discussion in the Schalke environment because the financial situation of the Gelsenkirchen-based club is known to be not good. Tillmann was asked whether this would currently lead to a particularly large number of decisions being made: “If possible, strategic decisions should not be made under pressure. The financial situation continues to be tense, that is true, but we are not currently forced to do things that we are not strategically convinced of,” he says.

That is why it is all the more important to adjust the revenue and cost structures now so that decisions in the future can be made based on content rather than necessity. The club’s current 14th place standing in the second division also plays a role here: if the table situation does not improve significantly, TV revenues will decrease significantly.

For months, the question of a “change in legal form” has been haunting the supporters of the Royal Blues. What is meant by this is the question of whether the professional department of Schalke should be outsourced. Most recently, Schalke’s former supervisory board chairman Clemens Tönnies brought up the outsourcing of the professional department of FC Schalke 04 in 2020 shortly before his resignation. A suggestion that met with criticism from the fans. Tillmann refrained from doing so for the time being. “In the current situation, it makes little sense; other ideas are currently being discussed.”

Fans feel betrayed by Schalke’s squad planning

Fans also feel betrayed with regard to squad planning, as the Schalke management spoke of “strong decisions” in the run-up to the winter transfers. The Royal Blues sold four players, with Brandon Soppy and Darko Churlinov adding two new faces. “The coach wanted to reduce the squad size while strengthening the right back position 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 a few weeks now, Tillmann reacts evasively: “It’s perfectly 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.”