FC Schalke and especially head coach Frank Kramer are under a lot of pressure ahead of the home game against TSG Hoffenheim. Before the game of fate, however, the head coach showed himself combative.
After the hearty 0:4 bankruptcy in Leverkusen – the fifth in the ninth league game – Frank Kramer is heavily counted as head coach. Another defeat against TSG Hoffenheim could lead to the dismissal of the 50-year-old, who has never been undisputed since his arrival at Schalke.
Accordingly, Kramer was also the focus of the press conference before the game. “I’m human. You can feel that, of course,” admitted the S04 coach (via WAZ). At the same time, he emphasized that he did not want to let the topic get too close to him. “The discussions before the game are not productive. My focus is on the team and the game against Hoffenheim. From day one we promised ourselves that we would play to stay up,” he made clear.
Kramer emphasized that “of course” one would like to have more points in the account. Nevertheless, the situation must also be assessed realistically: “If you take a closer look, we are exactly where you [the journalists] expected us to be: namely, that we are fighting to stay up in the league.”
Despite the ongoing discussions about himself and his future, Kramer has not yet given up his job, on the contrary. “I give everything every day that we reach our goal,” he emphasized. “Even if you feel the unrest, the focus is clearly on our team and the club.”
The S04 coach recalled that there had already been a “dismissal” on matchday six. “It also came from the outside,” said Kramer. “I don’t deal with it.” At that time, Schalke won their home game against Bochum 3-1 and were able to calm things down a bit at first. However, because this was followed by three defeats with eight goals conceded, Kramer is now facing a strong headwind again.
And what does Kramer’s boss, Rouven Schröder, say about the coaching issue?
The sports director emphasized that “a lot of good games of the intensity” were played – the last game against Leverkusen, on the other hand, “disappointed everyone”. “The result is one thing, the other is the attitude,” said Schröder. “The charisma wasn’t Schalke 04. We addressed that very clearly. We’re sure it will be different now. There’s a clear appeal that we show a different face tomorrow. It’s not about that at all head coach, but that we present ourselves better as Schalke 04.”
When asked if he was involved with other coaches, he replied: “We are engaged in the here and now. Nothing else.”
This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Frank Kramer before the game of fate under pressure: “Of course you can feel it”.
