Nearly reaching the heights of role models - Schalke's Lessons from Düsseldorf
Even if promoting Duesseldorf isn't successful, they've made numerous improvements and are transforming like it's happening at Königsblau. Schalke needs to learn from these Rhine neighbors.
Support the Coach
The partnership between management and the coach plays a key role. During summer and winter, Fortuna's coach, Daniel Thioune (49), only receives players who have profiles he's specifically requested. Fortuna trusts its trainer, even if it means facing criticism for players like Dennis Jastrzembski (24) or Christoph Daferner (26). These players contribute greatly to the team's system, though they may not be big individual talents.
At Schalke, there's more of a feeling that the coach doesn't matter. Public praise for Karel Geraerts (42) is rare or nonexistent. Sport director Marc Wilmots (55) and team planner Ben Manga (50) want to dictate player profiles and overall direction, regardless of the head coach. Trusting the coach is different for each organization.
Provide Time for Young Players
Duesseldorf is patient. Jamil Siebert (22) emerged as a promising youth team player, struggled in his first few games, but Fortuna didn't abandon him. He then played two and a half years in the 3. League for Viktoria Köln, returning to Duesseldorf, and is now their starting defender.
Königsblau also treasures young talent. The challenge: Superstars like Assan Ouédrago (18) and Keke Topp (20) are so talented they could be game-changers for a less formidable team. There's a temptation to use them permanently and wear them out. Geraerts has recently struck a balance, built Topp up carefully, and even granted him a break.
Recruit Fallen Stars
Fortuna's general manager, Klaus Allofs (67), primarily scouts players who once shone brightly or had great potential but then fell and found a second chance at Duesseldorf. Christos Tzolis (22) was a perfect example with this strategy. He became top scorer in the 2. League (22 goals).
Manga, the team planner at Schalke, now handles such unpopular transfers. He needs to demonstrate that he has a keen eye for talent and the courage to make decisions that may not initially please the fans.
Explore the 3. League
Duesseldorf isn't afraid to sign players from the 3. League, and believes they can contribute immediately. Vincent Vermeij (29) scored twice, Yannik Engelhardt (23) is an absolute top transfer. Both were sourced from Freiburg's amateurs. Skilled scouting efforts and a willingness to negotiate terms pay off. Fortuna paid 600,000 euros, but granted Freiburg a buyback option in excess of 2.2 million euros for next year, which the Bundesliga club will almost certainly exercise. Sad for Duesseldorf, but without these sorts of deals, the club wouldn't have made it to the playoffs.
Schalke is likely to embrace the same approach. With very little funds, the club has little choice but to adopt this tactic.
Fans receive free admission to certain games through sponsors. The work environment is positive, with everyone feeling valued and part of the Fortuna family. The press treats them with respect - and they return it. You can sense: The CEO is fully committed to his club, living it. To sum up: The CEO creates a fantastic atmosphere everywhere.
In Gelsenkirchen, the mood is more akin to that of a barbecue evening without coal, sausages, and beer. A wave of layoffs is sweeping through all departments. There's fear and anxiety, with everyone concerned about being the next to lose their job.
Boss Matthias Tillmann (40) has been in charge for six months and needs to locate a balance between extensive restructuring and fostering collaboration. Currently, he comes off as a hard-nosed reformer who's only interested in numbers.
However, at a club like Schalke, long-serving employees' achievements must be honored, legends shouldn't be pushed aside, and a sense of unity is crucial for success. Tillmann must learn and internalize quickly that you can't manage a club like this as if it's a Dax company - otherwise, the whole endeavor will unravel far sooner than anticipated.
And how about fan relationships?
Schalke used to be the exemplary club, doing everything for its fans. Now, though, the stars are increasingly distant from their fans. Example: At relegation candidate Fortuna, fans were excluded from training sessions by average last season. At Schalke, they're often welcome at just one session per week - and that's usually only after games, when the few stars are rarely even present. This inefficient hiding strategy doesn't seem to be working - even though they're keeping secrets, hardly anyone is inspired enough to keep the club viable.
For Schalke to achieve success in the future, it's essential to study their rivals and understand how they operate.
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