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FC Schalke 04 relieve sporting management of their duties with immediate effect

FC Schalke 04

Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 have released a statement to announce that the club has relieved several members of the sporting management.

FC Schalke 04 Statement

The 5-1 defeat in Stuttgart has resulted in several leadership changes at the club. On Sunday, 28 February, FC Schalke 04 relieved head coach Christian Gross and his assistant Rainer Widmayer of their duties. Sascha Riether, the first team coordinator and fitness coach, Werner Leuthard, have also been dismissed from their respective positions. The Supervisory Board also decided in their conference call that Jochen Schneider, Head of Sport and Communication, would leave the club with immediate effect.

Peter Knäbel will take on overall sporting responsibility until further notice. With a view to planning for next season, the academy and development director will be supported in his role by U19s coaches, Norbert Elgert and Mike Büskens. U23s manager, Gerald Asamoah, will assume responsibility for first team coordination until the end of the season. Monday’s training session will be led by the fitness coaches.

“Following the two disappointing displays against Dortmund and Stuttgart, these decisions were unavoidable. There’s no need to beat around the bush here: the sporting situation is unambiguous, so we have to think beyond the end of the season with regard to these still outstanding personnel changes. At the same time, responsibility now falls on the team to try and be as successful as possible in the remaining third of the season. The players owe that to the club and to the fans,” said Jens Buchta, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Jochen Schneider for his tireless efforts with Schalke 04. We wish him, Christian Gross, Sascha Riether, Werner Leuthard and Rainer Widmayer all the best in their personal and professional lives.”

(FC Schalke 04)