Thomas Reis knows the bottom of the table. The former Bochum coach is traded as a top coach candidate at Bundesliga bottom FC Schalke 04 and could become the successor to the sacked Frank Kramer in the coming days.
According to information from "Bild" and Sport1, the final talks with the 49-year-old should be held on Monday. VfL Bochum parted ways with Reis in September after six defeats at the start of the season - as 18th in the table.
Rice has already proven its qualities
Schalke is said to have been interested in Reis as early as the summer, and the former soccer professional toyed with a change. Rumors about this caused a lot of excitement and discussion around VfL at the beginning of the season. Since Reis still has a valid contract, Schalke would not only have to agree with the coach, but also with the Revier rival.
Among other things, the fact that he knows and appreciates the Ruhr area speaks in favor of the pithy rice. He could be well received by the Schalke fans and in the club environment. However, what is even more important: Reis has already shown in Bochum with the surprisingly sovereign relegation last season that he can get a lot out of a squad with financial disadvantages compared to the competition.
Should he now become a coach of S04, he should also be able to do it there. So far, the Gelsenkircheners have only sporadically demonstrated their suitability for the Bundesliga. Together with Bochum, Schalke provide the most harmless offensive in the league. In addition, the Royal Blues, who have only taken six points in eleven games so far, conceded the second most goals in the upper house.
Despite the 2-1 defeat, the appearance at Hertha BSC gave a little hope. Players and interim coach Matthias Kreutzer were at least cautiously optimistic that they had taken the first step towards turning the tide. "The performance was the way Schalke has to appear. We have to build on that to reward ourselves next time," said Kreutzer.
Five days after the 5-1 defeat in the cup at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and the subsequent separation from Kramer, his team showed passion and stood up to their opponents. She also created good scoring opportunities time and time again. "We had enough chances to play 2-2 or 3-2," said midfielder Mehmet Aydin. "You also have to see the positive things. We did better than in the last few weeks."
Stevens: "The fans will do anything to help"
The situation is still precarious. The former Schalke success coach Huub Stevens, who won the UEFA Cup with the club in 1997 and has already gained a lot of experience in the relegation battle, emphasized on the DAZN streaming service: "It is important that we don't panic. We knew the situation we were in might guess."
Although the task will be very difficult for Kramer's successor, Stevens finds the job attractive. "It's always something special to be a coach at Schalke. It's fun, it also inspires confidence. You have to take that with you. The fans will push the team forward. They'll do everything to help." According to sports director Peter Knäbel, the new coach should be announced this week. "The exam phase is on its last legs, it won't be long now," said the 56-year-old on Sunday.
Stevens would not be available for re-engagement. "My time as a coach is over. I enjoy it the way it is now," said the 68-year-old when asked a joking question.
