FC Schalke 04 is still looking for a coach. For the time being, assistant coach Matthias Kreutzer should look after the Bundesliga penultimate and also sit on the bench at Hertha BSC (5:30 p.m.) on Sunday. “The coaching team, led by Matthias Kreutzer, will prepare the team as best as possible for the important game in Berlin in the short time available,” said the sports management of the Revierclub around sports director Peter Knäbel and sports director Rouven Schröder. Previously, Kreutzer had also led Schalke’s training. Kreutzer had already helped out as an interim coach in the last second division season and looked after Schalke in the 3-0 win at FC Ingolstadt. At that time, transitional coach Mike Büskens had failed. Like Kreutzer, the ex-professional was assistant trainer to Frank Kramer, who was on leave on Wednesday. The Schalke club legend Büskens does not want to help out again as an interim coach.
Apparently on Thursday the hope of finding a new head coach by Sunday was finally dashed. Thomas Reis, who has long been considered a favourite, would first have to come out of his still valid contract with VfL Bochum. Reis had been on leave a month ago at the station neighbors. “In the interests of the club, we will carefully examine all the options that are available to us, even in the short term, when making the decision about filling the position of head coach,” said Thursday’s statement.