Grace period extended, pressure increased: Frank Kramer received another week of probation as a coach at FC Schalke 04, which is currently limited in terms of competitiveness.
After the convincing but again unlucky 0:3 (0:2) against TSG Hoffenheim, Kramer remains coach of the promoted team despite the fourth defeat in a row. This is the result of crisis talks on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
According to dpa information, the 50-year-old should again be on the Schalke bench in the DFB Cup on Tuesday against Hoffenheim and five days later in the Bundesliga at Hertha BSC, who are in a direct relegation zone with six points after ten games.
Schalke shows the required reaction
Sports director Rouven Schröder gave the reason for the new probation period on Friday. "We made it clear that we wanted a clear reaction. The team has this reaction," Schröder said. In terms of attitude and charisma, Schalke's performance could not be compared to the devastating 0:4 at Bayer Leverkusen the previous week.
The defeat against Hoffenheim was extremely unfortunate despite the clarity. Two penalty goals by Robert Skov (11th and 59th minute) only came after the intervention of the video referee and the 0:2 fell just before the break through Munas Dabbur (45th 2) after a counterattack when Schalke pushed for an equalizer.
Nevertheless, Hoffenheim was better and deserved the defeat. And yet Kramer had to put up with critical questions. For example, why the convincing Alex Kral and Florent Mollet have not played more often from the start. With regard to Mollet in particular, Kramer justified this with the Frenchman's adjustment problems. "They have now adopted the mentality that is required in the German Bundesliga," said the coach, who again had to cope with individual playful and tactical dropouts. For example before the second TSG goal, when the counterattack didn't work and Cedric Brunner avoided a tactical foul in a duel on the sidelines.
Financial reasons for sticking with Kramer?
"I'm just as disappointed as the guys in the dressing room. Of course you have to let it sink in first," said Kramer, who had been doubted in the environment since he started in the summer. Its status with the fans is becoming increasingly difficult. Especially in Leverkusen and now also against Hoffenheim, "Kramer out" calls were unmistakable. "You have to say clearly: From the first matchday there was extreme pressure," said Schröder.
The fact that the sports management is still holding on to the badly battered coach may be due to the start of an English week, but there may also be financial reasons. Laying off the sixth coach within two years, continuing to pay for the time being and hiring another coach would hit the club, which is still financially ailing, hard. Meanwhile, Schröder and sports director Peter Knäbel should have little choice in the event of further defeats. Because a renewed descent would be economically even more catastrophic.
"We didn't get enough points. We're not satisfied with that. It's not what we had in mind," admitted Kramer. Almost more than that, however, the lack of a sporting perspective is a cause for concern. Even if the attitude is right, like against Hoffenheim, observers miss the suitability of the squad for the Bundesliga. A tactical order was hardly recognizable on Friday, a game idea has been missing for weeks. "If we get everything started, we'll be competitive," Kramer insisted. "But we always have to do that." And therein lies his problem.
