Schalke Coach Van Wonderen Reflects on Resignation Offer, Praises Team’s Progress
Gelsenkirchen, Germany – FC Schalke 04 coach Kees van Wonderen has revealed that he offered his resignation to club officials in early December, citing the team’s poor form at the time. However, the Dutchman is now optimistic about the club’s progress and sees them moving in the right direction.
"After seven games, we had one win and two draws. I asked myself if I was in the right place, if I was the right coach," Van Wonderen said ahead of Sunday’s match against SV Darmstadt 98.
Van Wonderen confirmed a report in the "Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung" newspaper that he had offered to step down. However, sporting director Youri Mulder and squad planner Ben Manga rejected the offer and expressed their confidence in the coach.
The progress made by Schalke since then has been evident. "We all know how things have gone since then. The development is there, and we are continuing to follow this path," the 56-year-old said.
In the eight matches following Van Wonderen’s resignation offer, Schalke picked up 14 points, one more than in their previous 14 games. They have also moved away from the relegation zone.
Van Wonderen emphasized his willingness to reflect on his own performance and put the club’s needs ahead of his personal ambitions. "It’s not about me as a person but about the club. The club is the most important thing, then come the players and the coach," he said.
While Van Wonderen did not inform his players of his resignation offer at the time, he has since had extensive discussions with them about it.
The coach does not believe that his resignation offer will create a vulnerability for future failures. "Not everything will be perfect in the future. If there ever comes a time when it would be better for Schalke to take a different direction, then so be it. That’s the way it is in football," the Dutchman said.
Schalke will be looking to earn more points against a struggling Darmstadt side. However, Van Wonderen warns against underestimating the opposition.
"They are still a good team and capable of winning big games. We all remember the 3-5 home defeat very well," he said.
Schalke, along with Darmstadt, will wear jerseys with the slogan "DEMOKRATIE WÄHLEN – Gegen Rassismus und Ausgrenzung" ("Vote for democracy – against racism and exclusion") as a sign of support for democracy on the occasion of the upcoming German federal elections.
