The 2024 general meeting of members begins at 11:04 a.m. on Saturday at FC Schalke. We are providing live coverage of the event.
6:55 p.m.:
“We had heated discussions and gave each other a good telling off. Thank you for that,” says Axel Hefer before officially ending the meeting with the club anthem.
6:46 p.m.:
As is tradition, S04 fan Norbert Hauka will close the meeting with a new song.
6:42 p.m.:
Tillmann promises to take this on board and holds out the prospect of a game in 2025.
6:40 p.m.:
The next speaker, Britta Assauer, takes to the stage. The last wife of Rudi Assauer calls again for a farewell game for “her Rudi”. Last year she was promised support, but then no one got back to her.
6:33 p.m.:
Now Ralf Fährmann, who is in a legal dispute with S04, is also proposed by a member for the VIP box. Let’s see if there will be a vote on this at the next event…
6:30 p.m.:
It’s getting exciting again: a member calls once more for the entire board of directors and supervisory board to resign.
6:28 p.m.:
Now, after seven hours, the event is slowly (!) coming to an end. We are at the point Miscellaneous.
18:25:
The previous incumbent Dr. Stephan Kleier received only 546 votes and is out.
18:23:
Markus Peick was elected with 847 votes and Astrid Erlebach with 606 votes.
18:17 hrs:
Voting is underway
18:07 hrs:
The arena has largely emptied. More than half of the members are already gone. The candidates for the election committee continue to introduce themselves.
18:02 hrs:
The elections for the election committee are next
5:55 p.m.:
Moritz Dörnemann with 927 votes and Falk Kappenhagen with 836 votes were not elected.
5:53 p.m.:
Sven Kirstein with 1317 votes and Ender Ulupinar with 1030 votes were elected.
5:44 p.m.:
Ender Ulupinar – the operator of the Schalke fan field – wants to advocate for the installation of an advisory board for the professional team on the supervisory board and for a new sports director. “Too many wrong decisions have been made,” says Ulupinar.
5:38 p.m.:
Sven Kirstein explains his new candidacy and his work over the past three years. “And yes, we need to continue to be patient,” said Kirstein. “I come from your midst and I know Schalke,” said Kirstein, who is with the Ultras in the Nordkuve.
5:35 p.m.:
Falk Kappenhagen explains his application, he wants to help Schalke regain its shine.
5:30 p.m.:
First, the candidates introduce themselves. Moritz Dörnemann begins: “How can it be that TSG Hoffenheim is using the money from our Sky subscriptions to buy our Bülter,” asks Dörnemann. “Schalke evokes emotions, other clubs don’t even interest us.” He wants to advocate for a change in the distribution of television funds.
5:23 p.m.:
Now it comes to the elections for the supervisory board. Two places are up for vote. The terms of office of Moritz Dörnemann and Sven Kirstein end.
5:20 p.m.:
A proposal to amend the statutes regarding membership fees is rejected.
5:20 p.m.:
In the future, there will be a joint profit and loss transfer agreement between Arena Management and the club. This should save a significant six-figure amount. This proposal is accepted.
17:16:
The proposal to send a member of the works council to the supervisory board is also rejected.
17:04:
The first motion to amend the statutes – to allow a hybrid event – is rejected. The Ultras are now in the majority here, so they are likely to have liked the result.
4:57 p.m.:
The Supervisory Board is also discharged for 2023 and 2024.
4:50 p.m.:
The board of directors for 2023, consisting of Bernd Schröder, Christina Rühl-Hamers and Peter Knäbel, is also discharged, as is the board of directors for 2024, consisting of Matthias Tillmann and Christina Rühl-Hamers.
4:48 p.m.:
An electronic vote is taken because there was no clear majority. This showed that the motion was rejected by 1,143 votes to 1,444.
4:43 p.m.:
Probably because many members have already fled the freezing arena, a member proposes postponing item 6 – the motions for amendments to the statutes – until after the election of the supervisory board.
4:41 p.m.:
Now item 4 has been completed – after two and a half hours!!!
4:40 p.m.:
In fact, a speaker is now criticizing the structure of the squad. Why wasn’t more emphasis placed on the composition of the defense, which has long been a weak point? Tillmann then explained the transfer strategy for the winter.
4:33 p.m.:
The next speaker criticizes the lack of competence and also the fact that Kees van Wonderen had to present himself as the new head coach alone. Tillmann responded.
4:20 p.m.:
“In a time of crisis, clever people look for solutions and stupid people look for someone to blame,” the next speaker criticized the way people treat each other at this general meeting, and it is certainly no coincidence that so many members are attacking the club’s democratically elected representatives. He suspects that there is a strategy behind it, from whoever it is.
4:18 p.m.:
“As long as you, through your stirrup holders, think you can get away with anything…“ the next member Hefer was sharply attacked. He is sharply booed for it.
4:05 p.m.:
”The diamond eye seems to be blind in one eye” now Ben Mange also gets his comeuppance. He has basically failed just like all the trainers and leaders before him.
1:40 p.m.:
The next member recalled a vote of confidence by Günther Siebert in 1988, who then resigned as a result. Hefer replies: “There is a reason why the statutes are the way they are. So that you don’t throw everything out the window after a bad season.” Rudi Assauer, by the way, initiated it that way.
3:40 p.m.:
Hefer is getting annoyed because there are repeated accusations that the supervisory board has no football expertise: “That’s largely true. It’s your decision who you elect to the supervisory board,” said Hefer.
3:48 p.m.:
Hefer does not address this any further. Instead, at the suggestion of Axel Hefer, the list of speakers will be closed after the members’ vote. However, there are still 18 speakers to come.
3:46 p.m.:
The next member demands the resignation of the entire supervisory board.
3:43 p.m.:
“You have already received the answer to your nonsensical accusations,” Hefer is prepared. The member had already submitted the same request to the council of honor. He also criticized the personal accusations. And reaps applause for it.
3:40 p.m.:
“This is the most expensive apprentice in the Federal Republic of Germany,” the next member also takes a hard line with the board member Matthias Tillmann. ‘And who is responsible for this: the trainer.’ Hefer also faces a lot of opposition. He also calls for Axel Hefer to resign.
3:32 p.m.:
Tillmann does not respond to this question at all. Axel Hefer responds and says that he has a different opinion on the subject of resignation and explains the recruitment procedure again.
3:30 p.m.:
“I don’t even know how you got the job?” asks the next speaker. ‘Schalke is making a disastrous impression.’ And then the request to Matthias Tillmann: ‘Do justice to your request: please resign.’
3:26 p.m.:
The next speaker criticizes the cuts in the allowance for the Schalke Fan Club Association.
3:24 p.m.:
Hefer is now in a rage: the biggest problem is not the recent mistakes, but “the cowardly running away of some of our predecessors. If you drive the cart into the dirt and then run away, that’s the worst thing,” Hefer is incensed. The chairman of the supervisory board is facing a lot of opposition today.
3:12 p.m.:
Hefer is now talking about pressure. Everyone feels the extreme pressure that Schalke puts on everyone in charge. That’s one problem, which is why those in charge change so quickly. And on the subject of the sports director: “We need a boss in sports. We are looking for a boss in sports,” Hefer promised a member who had asked about it. He said that they had found the necessary time for it through Youri Mulder.
3:10 p.m.:
While Hefer and the club officials have addressed all questions so far, there is no response at all to these accusations.
3:08 p.m.:
“Mike, thanks for everything. And sorry for everything that happened to you,” the next opponent addresses directly to Mike Büskens, who is also in the stadium. And he calls on Axel Hefer to go to Berlin and sign Oliver Ruhnert. And then he demands of Hefer: ”You are the supervisory board of 190,000 members and not just of the Ultras Gelsenkirchen.”
3:04 p.m.:
The next speaker also vents his frustration with the speech. The discussion is now getting down to business. He demands that the club also has to reorganize itself in the committees.
2:58 p.m.:
Now Tillmann is getting his comeuppance:
“If we were buddies, I don’t know if he would have recommended the job to me,” Tillmann replied to the accusation that he only got the job because he was Axel Hefer’s buddy. ‘Get lost,’ cries a member.
2:56 p.m.:
The club was on the verge of bankruptcy and on the verge of being relegated to the third division, Hefer explained. Bernd Schröder did a good job there. But then he also explained the change to Tillmann. “Some things you don’t see yet. But next year you will see it, I’m sure,” says Tillmann.
2:49 p.m.:
“They have no sporting expertise in the club. Youri Mulder can’t serve as a fig leaf for that either,“ and further, ‘I was so ’pissed off” at the way they treated Mike Büskens,” says Iris to Axel Hefer. ”I hope we can do better.”
2:47 p.m.:
Tillmann answers: “We parted on good terms and we talk to each other today. And I can say the same about Mike Büskens.” The members are very surprised. There is no applause for this.
2:43 p.m.:
“You have to handle things differently with Gerald Asamoah and Mike Büskens,” demands the next fan. ‘You have to take a step back.’ He receives a round of applause for this. ”They are our soul, you have to deal with them differently.”
2:39 p.m.:
Now Hefer justifies the deal with SportFive. It was exactly the right decision. Sponsorship revenue will increase again for the first time this year. In the long term, however, the plan is to build up a separate sponsorship department again.
2:33 p.m.:
At the time of the switch from Gazprom to RAG, the contract had already been verbally concluded when Clemens Tönnies approached S04 with the offer. But it was absolutely wrong for the supervisory board to have rejected a deal with Tönnies, explained Hefer.
2:22 p.m.:
“I’m not a fan of Clemens Tönnies, but Clemens Tönnies has always found people for us who came to us with money,” asks the next speaker. And reaps piercing whistles, but also applause. Why his offer as a sponsor for 7 million euros was rejected. The board should draw consequences.
2:16 p.m.:
FC Schalke 04 is not managed by competent people. As a master baker, he needs a master’s certificate, but what are the qualifications of the Schalke management? “FC Schalke 04 must first become strong in leadership, then it will return to its former strength,” the member of Schalke’s board of directors addresses. “In your position, I would be ashamed, Ms. Rühl-Hamers, if I still had a cent of debt,” he says to the S04 CFO. She has been in charge since 2010.
2:14 p.m.:
Tillmann plays down, they didn’t present the people with a fait accompli, but offered solutions.
2:12 p.m.:
The next speaker approaches the separation talks in the summer: “Why did you trample on these values?” “What kind of behavior is that?” “Are you actually aware of the damage you have done to the club?” “You have disqualified yourself as a board member,” said the member.
2:08 p.m.:
The Itakura decision was made by the sports department, the e-sports deal could not have been done differently in the current situation, and “it’s true that Peter Peters is our managing director,” says CRH. But that was a club decision and everyone can judge it for themselves.
2:00 p.m.:
The first member asks about the non-signing of Ko Itakura, the sale of the e-sports shares and the dismissal of Peter Peters as the operator of the stadium company. “I’m just pissed off by the last few years,” he concludes.
1:50 p.m.:
There is now a five-minute break
1:40 p.m.:
Hefer explained that Raphael Brinkert was involved in its creation. And then he ended his post.
1:40 p.m.:
The founding of the cooperative is a milestone in the history of FC Schalke 04, Hefer explained. No silverware will be sold.
1:37 p.m.:
Hefer defends the implementation of Matthias Tillmann and admits a series of mistakes in the sporting area. “We have no reserves for mistakes,” he says. “Our sports director was overwhelmed by the situation,” Hefer said to Peter Knäbel. That’s why they brought in Marc Wilmots. It didn’t work.
1:31 p.m.:
Now the chairman of the supervisory board, Axel Hefer, has taken the floor. “We are paying for an entire second division squad,” Hefer explains. We have to pay 16 million in interest, which is more than the squad is worth.
1:27 p.m.:
We have to deal with licensing for the 3rd division again. “It’s total crap,” but it’s unavoidable, says CRH.
1:26 p.m.:
A lot has been expected of the employees in recent years, and on top of that, they have been paid second division salaries. She stands up for her employees. Compared to 2021, the club is in a stable position. But that is not what Schalke 04 aspires to. They have to free themselves from their financial shackles quickly. Hence the idea of the cooperative. A solution is needed now that unites the club and makes it strong.
1:19 p.m.:
She now explains the necessity of the ticket price increase and reduction in the number of employees. There are 50 fewer employees in the office than before the pandemic and the relegations to the second division.
1:14 p.m.:
“We cannot go ‘all in’ and thus endanger the existence of the club,” she says.
1:12 p.m.:
She predicts a profit for 2024 as well. “This will ensure that the DFL regulations are met,” says CRH. This will avoid losing points in the coming year.
1:07 p.m.:
Now CFO Rühl-Hamers is speaking.
1:06 p.m.:
The start of subscriptions is scheduled for January 2025.
1:05 p.m.:
There is to be a two-person board of directors: He and Michael Kalthoff (RAG) will be the directors of the honorary board of the AG.
1:04 p.m.:
Tillmann clarifies. “There is a blocking period of 5 years,” but it is not a donation.
12:58 p.m.:
In order to reach the targeted 50 million euros, all 190,000 club members would have to purchase a share with a minimum value of 250 euros. That is why companies are also being approached.
12:54 p.m.:
The name of the cooperative is to be “Auf Schalke eG”.
12:51 p.m.:
Tillmann is now talking about the fact that he does not consider a spin-off of the professional department to be sensible at the moment. The meeting will continue shortly with the development cooperative
12:45 p.m.:
“Marc Wilmots remains a club legend as a player, but it didn’t work out for him in management,” says Tillmann. That is why they parted ways with him.
12:43 p.m.:
Now CEO Matthias Tillmann is speaking. He receives very little applause.
12:38 p.m.:
“For both of us, Schalke 04 is the Mecca of German football,” said Kremers. But he was not sparing with criticism either: “In view of much of what has happened here in the last few weeks, the traffic light coalition seemed to be on a wellness vacation,” he said. Now a cooperative is to be founded. That’s fine by me, as long as the honor cabin is not rented out as a vacation apartment.”
12:31 p.m.: Erwin and Helmut Kremers are both accepted into the Schalke honor cabin. Erwin Kremers accepts the honor personally. His brother is unable to attend.
12:24 p.m.:
The decision on whether to induct twins Erwin and Helmut Kremers into the Schalke Hall of Fame is about to be made.
12:22 p.m.:
The women who have been promoted multiple times are now being honored. Among others, Gerald Asamoah’s daughter Jada Asamoah is on stage.
12:15 p.m.:
Among those honored is also the “Three-Day President” Michael Zylka.
12:13 p.m.:
23 members are honored by Axel Hefer for a 50-year membership.
12:10 p.m.:
Mulder honors the anniversary celebrants who have been loyal to S04 for 25 years in a speech about the old days, “back then you were still allowed to smoke at the meetings.” “Thank you for your loyalty, for your passion and unwavering support.”
12:07 p.m.:
“He was on the premises every day and always talked to you”… ‘We miss you very much,’ says Youri Mulder, who was brought on stage to talk about the late champion player Willi Koslowski.
12:02 p.m.:
Everyone who has died in the last year and a half has just been remembered, including “Willi” Koslowski and Klaus “Boxer” Täuber.
11:54 a.m.:
There are whistles when smoking is banned
11:51 a.m.:
We are still in the trial voting.
11:46 a.m.:
3,296 fans took part in the next test vote. This gives an indication of how many members are here today.
11:34 a.m.:
Axel Hefer opens the meeting
11:33 a.m.:
The podium is already occupied. It’s about to start.
11:22 a.m.:
The first test votes are being taken and show that the members find the interviews on the sidelines the most interesting part of the supporting program.
11:15 a.m.:
The team will not be on site today – they have the day off.
11:04 a.m.:
The start has now been postponed to 11:34 a.m.
10:49 a.m.:
Dirk Oberschulte-Beckmann has just announced that the start has been delayed because many fans are still at the entrance.
10:45 a.m.: Today’s agenda:
Opening and welcoming remarks, honors, reports from the committees, discussion of the reports, discharges, proposals for amendments to the statutes, elections to the supervisory board, elections to the election committee, various matters, adoption.
10:30 a.m.: The lower tier of the main stand is slowly filling up. But most members are still in the process of arriving.
9:45 a.m.: There are explosive decisions on the agenda. Among other things, elections to the supervisory board are on the agenda and details of the funding cooperative will be announced. Several proposals for amendments to the statutes will also be examined.
9:30 a.m.: Hello from Gelsenkirchen. Starting at 11:04 a.m., we will be providing a running commentary on the FC Schalke members’ meeting at the arena.