Magath restructures coaching and backroom set-up
23.06.2009
FC Schalke 04 will go into the new Bundesliga season with a largely new coaching and backroom set-up.
Seppo Eichkorn, 52, and Bernd Hollerbach, 39, have been named new assistant coaches. Schalke manager Felix Magath enjoyed a fruitful working relationship with them at current German champions VfL Wolfsburg, from where fitness coach Werner Leuthard, 47, and rehab coach Markus Zetlmeisl, 42, also join the Royal Blues.
Magath held a series of meetings on Tuesday to inform the previous coaching and backroom staff of his future plans. Assistant coach Youri Mulder has been released along with fitness and rehab coach Dr Christos Papadopoulos and nutritionist Christian Frank. Goalkeeper coach Oliver Reck has not been handed a new contract and will leave the club along with fitness coach Rouven Schirp. Mike Büskens is on the move, too. The 41-year-old assistant coach was offered the chance to take charge of the second team again but declined.
"Taking these decisions and then telling the people concerned is never easy, especially when they've all been doing a good job", said Magath afterwards. "But I hope people will understand my wish to work with my longstanding assistants here at Schalke. I believe we have to restructure things in order to give the team new impetus. And I'm convinced we've now got the staff set-up we need to be successful in the future."
Magath continued: "I do, of course, accept the criticism that we have been very late in taking these decisions. Unfortunately it couldn't be done any other way because of the events of recent months, when I had to concentrate on the title race with VfL Wolfsburg and then simply needed some time to clear my head."
Physiotherapists Karl-Heinz Ohland and Holger Genius and kitman Enrico Heil have been retained as members of the backroom staff. The positions of club doctor and goalkeeper coach are still vacant, though team manager Erik Stoffelshaus received notice of termination a few days ago.
