The FC Schalke 04 coaching and function team is complete. At the request of coach Thomas Reis, sports psychologist Michael Grunwald has joined the team.
A new face in the team environment of FC Schalke 04: At the request of coach Thomas Reis, a sports psychologist will now accompany the professionals of the Königsblauen. Reis had already worked with Michael Grunwald at his former club VfL Bochum. Reis had announced a few weeks ago that Schalke wanted to strengthen itself “in the area of sports psychology”.
Grunwald, who holds a degree in sports science, is no stranger to professional football – he made his first contacts even before his time in the Ruhr region. In 2010, for example, he was hired by Hannover 96 together with the renowned sports psychologist Andreas Marlovits to help revive the team, which had been unsettled after the death of Robert Enke. He subsequently worked in Austria with SKN St. Pölten. On his website, Grunwald writes that he has been bringing “transparency to the structure, dynamics and developments of teams for more than ten years”.
He also describes why, in his opinion, sports psychology is indispensable: “The increasing complexity and multi-layeredness of clubs, teams and the reality of players’ lives mean that teams as a whole and individual players are increasingly influenced by psychological factors. This forces coaches, leaders and players to deal with psychological interrelationships in order to shape developments successfully. “
Schalke: The Knappenschmiede also has a psychologist
In an interview with “90 Minuten”, Grunwald once paraphrased why he believes that the head is decisive for sporting success. “Fit is basically every team these days. What is decisive for success is the collective spirit,” he said. At Schalke, he describes his observations to Reis after every training session and is available as a discussion partner for the professionals. The Knappenschmiede also relies on the support of a psychologist. This is Theresa Holst.
The FC Schalke 04 coaching and functional team
Head coach: Thomas Reis
Co-coaches: Markus Gellhaus (on the bench during matches), Matthias Kreutzer (in the stands during matches)
Goalkeeping coach: Simon Henzler
Liaison coach: Mike Büskens (commutes between the pros and the Knappenschmiede)
Athletics/rehab coaches: Jörn Menger (head), Alexander Storck (athletics), David Gröger (rehab)
Sports psychologist: Michael Grunwald
Game analyst: Lars Gerling
Sports Consultant: René Grotus
Head of the Licensed Player Department: Gerald Asamoah
Team manager: Mario Grevelhörster
Head scout: André Hechelmann
Team doctors: Dr. Patrick Ingelfinger (head), Dr. Antonius Antoniadis
Physiotherapists: Thomas Kühn (management), Tim Hielscher, Tim Roussis
Kit Guards: Enrico Heil, Holger Blumenstein