Tuesday’s 5-1 DFB Pokal exit at the hands of Hoffenheim proved the straw that broke the camel’s back for Frank Kramer as his tenure as Schalke trainer has come to an end following his sacking on Wednesday morning.
Having lost to the Sinsheim club in the Bundesliga on Friday, the Königsblauen coach really couldn’t afford another poor display, but that is exactly what he got. As a result of the club’s disappointing start to the season former Bielefeld coach is now also the former Schalke coach.
“After promotion, we all committed to one goal: staying up in the Bundesliga. Right up to the end, we were convinced that we could turn the tide in the current situation. From our point of view, the time has now come when we have to make personnel changes,” sporting director Rouven Schröder explained.
“We have to score points in the last five league games before an extraordinarily long World Cup break so that we can then prepare as well as possible for the second half of the season, which will be groundbreaking for our club.”
Peter Knäbel, member of the board and responsible for sport added: “The way we performed, especially in the away games in Leverkusen and Hoffenheim, was not worthy of FC Schalke 04. Our analysis therefore goes beyond the head coach as an individual. We will have to improve significantly in all areas in order to be able to achieve our main goal – staying up in the league.”
“We would like to thank Frank Kramer for his professional and committed work. We wish him all the best for his private and professional future.”
So, like VfB Stuttgart the Königsblauen are in the market for a new coach. It is expected that a new man will not be in post before Sunday’s match at Hertha Berlin.
