FC Schalke 04: Players are said to have called for the replacement of coach Gross

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Schalke's coach Christian Gross

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Tim Rehbein / RHR-FOTO / imago images / RHR-Foto

According to matching media reports, several Schalke professionals are said to have demanded the replacement of coach Christian Gross after the 4-0 home defeat in the derby against Borussia Dortmund.

The pay TV broadcaster Sky, Funke Mediengruppe and Sport1 reported this on Friday evening.

SPIEGEL information confirms that several players at Schneider have addressed deficits in the work of the coach.

On Saturday "Bild" and "Kicker" also confirmed the reports.

The club itself had previously denied some players' requests to replace the "Sportschau".

"There was no player who has called Jochen Schneider with such a request," a club spokesman was quoted as saying on Saturday.

However, the "Bild" followed up and named Sead Kolasinac, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Shkodran Mustafi, all of whom had only been signed in the winter, as alleged supporters of a new coaching team.

Schalke confirmed that there had been internal discussions in the past few days in view of the looming fourth Bundesliga relegation and the Derby bankruptcy: “It is absolutely clear that there was frustration, especially after the Derby defeat.

We make no secret of the fact that this also includes open discussions and a processing of the current situation, ”said the club spokesman.

"But there was no such thing as a 'revolt' or 'revolution'."

Allegations of inflexible tactics, confusion of player names

According to the reports, players complained about one-sided training, inflexible tactics, lack of coaching during games and confusion of player names.

Schalke's sporting leadership around sports director Schneider rejected the request for replacement before the game at VfB Stuttgart (3:30 p.m., TV: Sky).

Despite the persistent staff shortage and the so far modest yield of only nine points in 22 games, Gross continued to express his hope of staying in the class on Friday.

“As long as the possibility exists, I believe in it - and the team believes in it too.

The players know exactly what it's about.

You will give everything, «the 66-year-old Swiss said.

Gross took over as the fourth Schalke coach this season just before the turn of the year.

With only five points from nine games, he has not managed to turn things around so far.

As the bottom of the table, Schalke is eight points behind Mainz 05.

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