The Heroes of Gelsenkirchen - Schalke's Rise - StuW & Chris Joint Story.

[StuW]

After seeing the previous Schalke story starting well, Chris wanted in. So, after negotiating, we decided that we should close the other, and make a joint story, With both of us taking charge of Schalke, and seeing who does better.

It will run like a mini competition, with points at the end of each season for various accomplishments -

**points scoring added soon**

MAGATH LEAVES VELTINS ARENA

Magath blows a gasket at final press conference

Schalke coach Felix Magath last night was relieved of his duties at the club, after a 15 minute foul-mouthed tirade aimed at Chairman Josef Schnusenberg.

MAGATH
The chairman has seen me take this club to heights it has not seen for many years, and produce some of the greatest football these fans have ever seen, and he wants me to f***ing leave, because I have an ego that is too big for this sh**hole of a club? That b*****d gave me a job to do, and i have done it, what else does he want me to do, dance on the centre circle? Well he can go f**k himself.

Magath continued for another 14 minutes, before club security removed him from the conference room.

Around an hour later, another press conference was called, this time chairman Josef Schnusenberg would be taking it.

Chairman arrived with his chief aid

Josef Schnusenberg
After an emergency meeting with the board of directors, we have unanimously decided that Felix Magath has been relieved of his duties at Schalke 04 with immediate effect. The club are now looking for a new manager, and we expect to have an appointment in the near future.

Bookies have named a shortlist of potential managers -

Jesualdo Ferreira - 6/1
Ebbe Sand - 7/1
Martin O'Niell - 7/1
Manuel Pellegrini - 8/1
Antonio Álvarez - 12/1

Portuguese coach Ferreira is favourite to land the job, with Schalke legend Ebbe Sand and Martin O'Niell closely behind, with Pellegrini and Alvarez also touted.​

 

[razwy_20]

What transfer budget did you have and can you please post your squad and transfers so far.

 

[SwineFluGotYou]

Great start.

 

[jharty101]

hope chris stays at schalke but have a good time

 

[Yorkshirelad]

Good start! Should be good....

 

[SwineFluGotYou]

Another story I am going to follow.

 

[Chris]

Martin O'Neill Hired as New Schalke Boss.​

Martin O'Neill has only been out of management for a month but German football is a whole new task for the Northern Irish manager. Many are sceptical of his ability to succeed.​

Martin O'Neill has today taken over at managerless Schalke 04.

Schalke, who have been without a boss since June, after Felix Magath left the club over financial disputes, have said to be delighted with signing O'Neill and are looking forward to his grand unveiling at the VELTINS Arena later this evening. After Magath was ushered out of Schalke, Schnusenberg was quick to appoint O'Neill. However, critics are still torn between Martin's outstanding track record and his lack of experience in German football. Josef Schnusenberg did not share those views.

Josef Schnusenberg on O'Neill:

'We were bowled over when we heard Martin had shown interest in Schalke and entered contract negotiations immediately. We firmly believe Martin can challenge for the title and hope to provide the necessary funds to do this.'

Josef Schnusenberg seemed delighted with the capture of O'Neill and was only too happy to contemplate the chances of a brilliant season ahead.
​

Martin O'Neill is considered to be a marvellous coup for a club of Schalke's calibre and will be a welcome addition to German football. With no experience in Germany before, many people were critical with Schalke for not trying a manager with experience in the Bundesliga but Schalke have been quick to play down these critics:

'When Martin O'Neill, a man who has done immensely well at Aston Villa, openly makes himself available for a job, then we were never going to turn him down. His record at Aston Villa was second to none and we feel he is the right man to take this club on. Yes, he speaks little German, but football is a universal language and Martin will have no problem learning the language!'

With Schalke expected to challenge for the title with the likes of Huntelaar, Farfan and Jurado, O'Neill will have a lot of high expectations of himself. With a budget nearing £10,000,000, Schalke will be looking for bargains this season and players such as Jan Kromkamp, Achille Webo and Mark Schwarzer have all been linked to 'DieKonigsblauen.'

More to follow.

Mark Schwarzer could be the big signing at Schalke 04 this season.​

 

[Nixon]

What transfer budget did you have and can you please post your squad and transfers so far.

Did you read it? He's not the manager yet :S

 

[cfc12345]

good luck lads and will follow as promised chris

 

[StuW]

SCHALKE APPOINT EBBE SAND AS MANAGER

Schalke legend relishing his chance.

Schalke today appointed the successor to Felix Magath. With big name managers linked to the job, such as Martin O'Niell, Manuel Pellegrini and Antonio Alvarez, the board decided to hire former Denmark striker Ebbe Sand as the manager. Sand, who enjoyed a seven year spell with the club, has spoke of his delight at the opportunity ahead.

Ebbe Sand
I can't believe that they board had chosen me to lead the club. I had spoke to the chairman last week and said I would be interested, but I thought there would be six or seven in front of me for the job. Josef said he wanted stability, something that only someone who knows the club intimately would be able to do. I have a chance to lead the club into Europe, and hopefully challenge for silverware this season.

The Schalke legend also said that the squad was 'not ready for the season', and admitted that several players would be required. The board have reportedly given Sand a budget of between 9 and 10m to strengthen the squad for the forthcoming season, in which the club challenge domestically and in the Champions League.

As the transfer market starts to pick up pace, the rumors are rife as to whom Sand will recruit. Le Havre keeper Zacharie Boucher, Wolfsburg's Alex Madlung, Ajax's Urby Emanuelson, and martin Amedick of Kaiserslautern are all being strongly linked.
​

 

[Chris]

Schalke Plan Summer Swoops​

New boss Martin O'Neill has promised to sign at least three new players this summer, he revealed in his opening press conference today. He wouldn't confirm which players he had taken interest in but we at FourFourTwo Magazine, have a good idea on who he might be looking to buy.

Jan Kromkamp is one signing Schalke could be looking at.​

First off, Martin O'Neill should have identified his weakness in both full back positions. His current natural full backs, Christian Pander and Atsuto Uchida are no better than average full backs. Martin O'Neill may not be looking to buy immediate world class full backs, but he will certainly be worried with the insufficient backup in both positions. Kromkamp offers some pace and reliability. But, more importantly, he will cost under £2,000,000 meaning he is the ideal signing on Schalke's budget.

Jo is a prime target for Martin O'Neill and the want-away Manchester City striker, is currently available on a season long loan.​

Schalke 04 have one very good striker in Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and an up and coming prospect in Mario Gavranovic. Other strikers such as Raúl, Edu and Jendrisek are decent strikers, but hardly promise a bounty of goals between them. Jo, will cost no more than £2,000,000 for a season long loan and is sure to provide the 15+ goals that Schalke need this season. O'Neill can already see a top partnership between Huntelaar and Jo, so he will be looking to snap him up as soon as possible.​

Miles Addison is a huge prospect for the future and the sort of player that Martin O'Neill signed at former club, Aston Villa. ​

Our final thought, is that of young Derby centre back, Miles Addison. Young Miles has already impressed in the Championship and it would be seen possible that he could step up to the bright lights of the German Bundesliga. He would be available for around £4,000,000, making him O'Neill's most expensive potential signing, but a player well worth the investment. Addison has already expressed his desire to leave Derby County. Surely it is a sign that his Schalke days are imminent?​

------​

Whoever Martin O'Neill signs this season, they will be under a huge amount of pressure to perform at the VELTINS Arena. With a Champions League place the minimum expectant fans want this season, signings such as Jo and Addison seem to mean that O'Neill is confident of a good finish. This season is one of the biggest in years for Schalke. With a few assured and reliable signings, Schalke will be title contenders for sure.​

O'Neill knows he is under extreme pressure to do well at Schalke. Will his signings justify his appointment?​

 

[toddzy]

Defo looking forward to this like

 

[Iaq]

Wow, more Schalke Stories, awesome! Go Ebbe! I will follow that one too.

 

[Chris]

Schalke Complete Loan Signing of Jo

Jo has signed for Schalke in a loan move reportedly worth £3,100,000.​

Schalke 04's new manager, Martin O'Neill, has completed his first signing at the start of his reign at the club. Striker Jo, signed until the end of May, costing Schalke a more-than-expected £3,100,000. Jo has not been in the team since his £18,000,000 move under Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini clearly does not include him in his plans.​

Martin O'Neill has long been an admirer of Brazilian Jo and was pipped to his signing by Everton in 2009. He has finally brought him to Schalke and he is expected to make a big impact on reported wages of £50,000 per week. Martin O'Neill had this to say:

'We have finally brought Jo in on loan after tough negotiations with Manchester City. It has caused me a few sleepless nights but he looks as though he will flourish in a partnership with Huntelaar. I signed Jo because of his prowess in the air and his world class finishing skills and I am hoping he'll prove this.'

Jo has been given the number '8' at the VELTINS Arena and will be put straight into the first team. Schalke players have already expressed their delight at O'Neill's first signing and Jo looks like he'll fit in well.
​

Will Jo shine or flop? He is a big signing for Schalke but is known to be 'High Maintenance.'​

 

[NunoPeixinho]

I will follow this of course, good luck , both of you

 

[StuW]

WHO WILL SCHALKE SIGN THIS SUMMER?

As the new Bundesliga season fast approaches, Goal.com are going to have a look at The team who finished runners-up to Bayern Munich last season. As well as preparing for a long season at home, the club enter the Champions League, which will see them test themselves against Europe's elite. Let's see where they need to improve.

Goalkeepers -

Neuer - as good as anyone in Europe

Manuel Neuer will undoubtedly be the club's number 1, and will be looking to also push for Germany's no1 with Rene Adler out injured. World class on his day, Schalke have very little to worry about here.
Mathias Schober is entering his third season with the club, and has played 4 games so far. Is certainly good enough to deputize for Neuer when needed.
Schalke however, have been linked with young French keeper Zacharie Boucher as they look towards the future.

Defenders -

Metzelder - One of the best in Europe

Christoph Metzelder is possibly the best German central defender around, and will take some dislodging from Schalke's first team. His partner in crime will likely be either Benedikt Howedes, or Frenchman Nicolas Plestan. With the amount of games Schalke have this season, don't be surprised to see another Centre-Back walk through the doors of the Veltins Arena.
Linked with - Alexander Madlung(Wolfsburg), Martin Amedick(Kaisersl.), Matthew Booth(Sundowns), Heiko Butscher(Freiburg).

Pander - Exciting season ahead

Christian Pander is very much the type of player that Ebbe Sand likes at full back, quick, attack-minded with a ferocious strike. Many expect this to be his breakthrough season.
Howedes, Sarpei, and Sergio can all play at Left fullback, but it is common knowledge that Sand is actively seeking backup here.
Linked with - Emanuelson(Ajax), Rat(Shakhtar), de Cler(Feyenoord).

Midfielders -

Jermain Jones - Time to shine??

The centre of the park holds many different styles of players for Schalke. They have the defensive minded Jermain Jones, who has been told to prove himself this season, and also Croatian Ivan Rakitic, a flamboyant attacking midfielder who will provide the attacking prowess for the club. The club still seem a little light in the middle, so expect one or two to arrive.
Linked with - Alan Smith(Newcastle), Jermaine Jenas(Tottenham), Milan Badelj(Dinamo)

Farfan - integral to Schalke

The left wing will look very vulnerable without reinforcements, with not one naturally left sided winger at the club. Expect someone coming in to rectify this.
Linked with - Valentin Stocker(Basel), Rodrigo Tello(Besiktas), Jordi Alba(Valencia)

Strikers -

Huntelaar - needs a big season

Undoubtedly the strongest part of the squad. Raul and Huntelaar should know each other quite well, after spending time together at Real Madrid. Jendrisek, Edu, and Gavranovic provide decent cover, but we have heard that Sand is watching for something a little different up front.
Linked with - Dani Aquino(Murcia), Deniz Naki(St. Pauli)


So, expect six or seven faces to walk through the doors at Schalke, as the club enters it's biggest season in years.​

 

[Chris]

Wow, what an update Stu!

This is gonna be great.

 

[cfc12345]

great signing in jo chris he should bang in the goals for you

 

[martinbissett]

Great starts both of you , will of course follow

 

[Chris]

Thanks guys.