Schalke sack head coach Baum, Stevens steps in

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 17 May 2021 21:22 BST
• 2 min read

Bundesliga strugglers Schalke have announced that they have parted company with head coach Manuel Baum.

Schalke find themselves at the foot of the German top-flight standings, having failed to win any of their opening 12 matches, earning only four points in the process of what has been a turbulent season.

They possess the divisions joint-poorest scoring record, having notched a mere eight goals, as well as the worst defensive record as they have conceded 35 times.

Schalke have announced that with that record in mind, Baum has been relieved from his duties, with Huub Stevens put in temporary charge.

“The home game against Arminia Bielefeld is of immense importance for our club. The disappointing performance against SC Freiburg showed us that the team needs fresh impetus in order to be able to play the game successfully. We trust Huub Stevens and Mike Buskens to do just that,” board member Jochen Schneider explained.

“We thank Manuel Baum for his tireless efforts and wish him all the best for his personal and professional future.”

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Stevens takes the reins with Schalke having failed to win any of their last 28 matches in the league.

It will be his fourth spell in charge of the club, having led them from 1996-2002 and again from 2011-2012.

Furthermore, he has performed this firefighting duty for them previously. During the 2018/19 season, he steered them for the final 10 matches of the season.

Since then, he has been on the board of the club, and he will need lead them in the two forthcoming matches before Christmas.

After the DFB Pokal clash with Ulm on 22nd December, Schalke will offer an update on the identity of a full-time replacement for Baum.