Schalke’s press conferences will be led by Alex Jacob in future. The new man has had an eventful career.
In digital-visual times, club employees of professional clubs are also becoming stars who would otherwise remain in the background – for example, employees of the media department who lead a press conference that is broadcast live on YouTube.
Pia Lisa Kienel has been the face of FC Schalke 04 in recent years. Most recently, she had the additional task of translating the English-language answers from coach Karel Geraerts – and did a brilliant job. But now Kienel has moved to 1. FC Nürnberg – and there is a new face at Schalke.
New at Schalke: Jacob terminates his contract at Bielefeld
The 49-year-old Alex Jacob comes from third-division club Arminia Bielefeld, where he had been head of the media department since August 2022. Jacob terminated his current contract with the East Westphalian club to free up time for Schalke. He will not be seen in public very often in the first few weeks of the season, as he will not arrive until September 1.
Bielefeld was not Jacob’s first stop in professional soccer; he had previously worked for Hannover 96 (July 2011 to December 2015) and 1. FC Köln (January 2016 to June 2017) – his boss there for many years was Jörg Schmadtke. Jacob enjoys a very good reputation in the soccer industry. Bielefeld managing directors Christoph Wortmann and Michael Mutzel paid tribute to Jacob: “He was always professional, loyal and competent when working with us. His open and likeable manner made him a highly valued employee among our colleagues at the club.”
After his time in Cologne, Jacob underwent outpatient therapy for an addiction to sports betting, which he always spoke openly about, including at addiction prevention events and in a TV documentary. In an interview on the DFB website, Jacob said about this difficult time: “The addiction ruined me economically, it had brought almost all my social contacts to a standstill, it was in the process of destroying me physically. My days only revolved around the next weather event and, in view of the high losses, the question of how I was going to get new money. I was a different person, large parts of my self had been erased. I was reduced to Alex, the gambler. Emotionally, I really only reacted to betting wins and losses.” Jacob managed to kick his addiction, wants to educate people about it and returned to professional soccer.
Marc Siekmann remains Schalke’s media director
Schalke are restructuring their communications department – only one thing is not changing: media director Marc Siekmann remains at the helm. Jacob will be the “club spokesman for the licensed team” and, together with Peter Holtschlag (communications manager for the licensed team), will look after the Royal Blues’ professional players. Alina Bolous, Head of Corporate Communications since July 2022, will have additional responsibilities. She is responsible for the areas of club communications, public affairs, Knappenschmiede and women’s soccer