Official | Schalke appoint Kees van Wonderen as new head coach

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·7 October 2024

Official | Schalke appoint Kees van Wonderen as new head coach

Schalke have announced Kees van Wonderen as their new head coach, who replaces Karel Geraerts who was sacked after their 5-3 loss to Darmstadt.

On becoming Schalke’s new head coach, van Wonderen said:

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“The discussions with those in charge were very good and characterized by a great deal of trust. We analyzed all of the games of the season and developed an idea of what we want to work on with the team. That is challenging in the middle of an ongoing season, but we are tackling it with conviction and confidence. I will use Sunday to get to know the staff and have discussions, including with Jakob Fimpel, to gain valuable first-hand impressions before we start with the team on Monday. We want to take steps together during the international break.”

Director of football Ben Manga also commented on why they went ahead and hired van Wonderen:

“The basis of our search was a requirements profile that we approved together with the board. In summary: a coach whose work on the pitch bears a visible signature, who knows how he wants to work with our squad and has experience in developing players. We are absolutely convinced that we have found the right person for the job in Kees van Wonderen. I have known him and his work for several years, very intensively since his time in Deventer, and am now looking forward to working with him.”

van Wonderen’s managerial experiences come from his homeland the Netherlands. During his time in senior football he has managed Go Ahead Eagles and Heerenveen. At Go Ahead Eagles he guided them to promotion to the Eredivisie and a 13th-placed finish upon their return to the top flight. While in Friesland, van Wonderen led Heerenveen to eighth and 11th-placed finishes.

In their search for a new head coach, Schalke had been linked with a potential return of Raùl to the club as well as current Atletico Madrid B manager and former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Schalke’s first game back after the international break will be a tough fixture away at Hannover 96. Die Königsblau are currently sitting in 13th place in the 2.Bundesliga, two points off of the relegation places.

GGFN | Jack Meenan