Gerald Asamoah “is full of optimism” that Schalke 04 will manage to stay in the league. The Head of Licensed Playing also comments on his future.
Gerald Asamoah has not lost confidence that FC Schalke 04 can still save themselves in the Bundesliga – despite the last place in the table the Königsblauen hold with only nine points from 15 games during the World Cup break. “I am full of optimism that we will make it. You have seen in the last few games what the team is capable of,” the head of the licensed players’ department told WAZ (Thursday edition).
He said he was sorry to see the departure of coach Frank Kramer in October, “it’s not that I think: one’s gone, good, now the next one’s coming. That always does something to you.” But under new coach Thomas Reis, Asamoah sees Schalke making progress: “I’m very happy that things are going so well with Thomas. I’ve been in the business for a long time myself and I know that when a new coach comes in, many hope for a new chance,” said the 44-year-old. “And Thomas, with his way of working, has managed to get the team to take more risks.”
In the four games under the direction of Thomas, who was released after six matchdays at Revier rivals VfL Bochum, Schalke have won only once – 1-0 against FSV Mainz 05, but among the three defeats is the 2-0 loss to German champions FC Bayern, in which the Schalke side put up a very decent display.
Asamoah is encouraged by the fact that the Gelsenkircheners also had good times in the calendar year: “The promotion was something special, especially the winning streak under Mike Büskens at the end of the season was unique.” But the emotional rollercoaster ride – also in the stands of the arena – did not surprise him: “That’s Schalke. It was clear to us after promotion that it would be against relegation until the last matchday. Of course, we didn’t expect to be bottom of the table. We’re doing everything we can to get out of the bottom of the table. “
But it also has to be said that together, as a staff, as a team, we haven’t managed to get the best out of the situation.
Gerald Asamoah
But the fact that Schalke 04 are currently last is not just down to Frank Kramer. “He was very involved in our club,” Asamoah explained. “In the end it was not successful. But you also have to say that all of us together as a staff, as a team, didn’t manage to get the best out of the situation. Now we have to look forward.”
Asamoah also commented on his personal future with the Königsblauen, who are still looking for a sporting director following the departure of Rouven Schröder. “I have never said here that I want to succeed Rouven now,” Asamoah said, but also clarified: “Yes, I would like to be sporting director one day in the future. But that doesn’t have to be right now and directly at Schalke, it can also be somewhere else.”
Asamoah made 297 competitive appearances for Schalke between 1999 and 2011, was already responsible for the U23s as manager and has recently started a part-time DFB and DFL degree course.
