Schalke sporting Director Horst Heldt’s contract set to be expiring at the end of the season, in Germany, publications such as BILD and Sky Sport Germany have linked the likes of Mainz general manager Christian Heidel, Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl, Bayern Munich’s technical director Michael Reschke and Werder Bremen’s Thomas Eichin with the role at the VELTINS-Arena.
With that being said, Schalke’s chief executive Clemens Tonnies has quickly moved to count the speculation as nothing more than an attempt to unsettle the club.
Can the Royal Blues get back on track?
With the Bundesliga returning this weekend, Schalke play host to Pal Dardai’s Hertha BSC, a team who the Royal Blues have had a good run of games against. In the last three meeting, the Ruhr side have won two and drew one. Their last two games at the VELTINS-Arena have both been comfortable 2-0 wins.
Before the International break, Schalke were left to swallow a bitter pill after winning their previous four games before FC Köln visited Gelsenkirchen. Anthony Modeste was the stand out performer on that day, scoring the opening goal on the half time whistle.
Schalke had more possession and shots than their opponents but their pressure came to no avail as Yannick Gerhardt and 24-year old Simon Zoller netted to secure a crucial 0-3 away win sending the Billy Goats fifth.
A win for Schalke on that day could’ve seen them move into second place as they could have had the upper hand over fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund who travelled to the Allianz Arena to play the league leaders and reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich who inflicted a demoralising five goals against Thomas Tuchel’s side, summoning the former Mainz manager to his first defeat of the season for die Borussen.
Tönnies has his say
Heldt was appointed Schalke General Manager in July 2010 after his stint as General Manager of VfB Stuttgart were he helped Stuttgart win the Bundesliga in 2006-07. Despite his contract being up this summer, Tönnies played down the speculation insisting: "Clearly somebody doesn't like that things have gone quiet at Schalke."
The 45-year old midfielder enjoyed a 15-year career playing more than 390 games for five different teams, in his heyday. The former Köln midfielder categorically denied he wanted to leave his role at Schalke and hit back at the report stating, “I was given a clear responsibility at the Annual General Meeting in the summer and I am working intensively on this.” He added "I've been working for more than five years in a close and trustworthy relationship with the board.”
Before concluding by saying, “We are heading in the right direction and that is what I am focusing everything on."
One of the men linked with the potential vacant role was Christian Heidel. The Mainz man failed to dismiss any speculation linking him with the job saying that he is “not giving any status updates.”
Schalke host Hertha BSC at 14:30 GMT.