2024-04-02 15:48:37
Ben Manga (center) was already responsible for scouting at Eintracht Frankfurt.Image: dpa / Arne Dedert
Second Bundesliga
FC Schalke 04 is experiencing turbulent weeks. After 27 match days, the Knappen are only two points ahead of the relegation place and are therefore in acute danger of relegation. In the 0-0 draw once morest Karlsruher SC, Schalke once once more missed the breakthrough.
The team shows two different faces in home and away games this year. The Royal Blues have recently failed across the board away from home. The catastrophic second half of the season: four away games, zero points, 3:13 goals.
The zero once morest Karlsruhe should therefore hurt even more, as Schalke had generally done a much better job at home and even beat league leaders St. Pauli.
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Coach Karel Geraerts is aware that a lot has to change if they are to stay in the league: “Only one point at home – I’m not happy,” said Geraerts following the game. “We finally have to perform differently away from home.”
Relegation as a condition for scout engagement
An important personnel decision also depends on staying in the league, as has now become known.
As the “Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung” reports, Ben Manga is to become the new director of squad planning. But only on the condition that Schalke stays in class.
The former soccer player, who played for Alemannia Aachen and Karlsruher SC, among others, was responsible for scouting at Eintracht Frankfurt between 2016 and 2022. He is considered one of the architects of Frankfurt’s Europa League success.
Manga, who worked as technical director at the English second division club FC Watford until October last year, only wants to terminate his ongoing, lucrative contract once the Royal Blues are assured of avoiding relegation.
Chief scout changes team before taking office
Curious: The fact that the transfer has not yet been finalized does not seem to be stopping Manga from making its first personnel restructuring. In the current scouting team that ex-sports director André Hechelmann put together, some have to vacate their positions, as the “Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung” reports.
Other commitments also bear Manga’s signature. With Raffael Tonello, a successor has already been presented for the director Knappenschmiede Mathias Schober, who left last week. Tonello took over management of the youth performance center in April. The 49-year-old has already worked closely with Manga in Frankfurt and Watford.
Another new addition is Sebastian Echave. This will be responsible for the South American market in the future. He is also an acquaintance of Manga and Tonello. The three cooperated in Frankfurt and Watford.
Whether Manga’s signing works depends on Schalke’s performance in the coming weeks. At least he was already spotted in the Schalke stands at the weekend. It is at least questionable whether the appearance brought him closer to signing the contract.
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