GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) – Schalke won precisely one Bundesliga match in 2020, so their New Year’s purposes are clear.
The German club, now in its fourth coach of the season, is desperate to end a 29-match winning streak and dreams of avoiding relegation.
His determination will be tested on Saturday on his stopover at Hertha Berlin, which has won only one of his last six matches.
If the Schalke does not win in the German capital, an ignominy imaginable awaits him when he receives the Hoffenheim a week later. Tasmania Berlin holds the Bundesliga record of 31 games without winning in the 1965–66 season.
“Schalke will desperately need to end their negative streak, but it’s not up to us to argue,” Hertha coach Bruno Labbadia said mid-week. “It’s vital to be positive and play without worrying about defeat. “
Schalke’s victory in the German leading platoon dates back to 17 January, when he beat Borussia Muenchengladbach 2-0.
When Schalke’s sporting director, Jochen Schneider, held the same position in Stuttgart, he hired Swiss coach Christian Gross in the middle of the 2009–10 season when the team was in trouble. Stuttgart ran and finished sixth.
Gross is now aboard Schalke. Hired the week, he is the fourth coach of the season after David Wagner, Manuel Baum and Huub Stevens.
“It’s about getting us out of this scenario together,” Gross said Wednesday. “Everyone has to be in a position to give everything and fight for the team. “
Schneider said the next five months will “manage to stay in the Bundesliga. “Schalke is in last position with four problems after thirteen rounds.
Schalke has joined Arsenal’s defence, Sead Kolasinac, but the transfer will take effect until Monday.
Former midfielder Gross said in May that he fled training. His third term in Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia, ended in February. He also trained Zamalek, founded in Cairo, Egypt. His last training in Europe with young Swiss in 2012. He trained Tottenham in 1997–98.
“Christian Gross has experience and knows where the team needs,” Labbadia said. “I expect a very close game because either group has to win. “
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