Sacked Schalke boss: I didn’t want to sign Mustafi and Kolasinac from Arsenal

David Lynch

• Updated: 20 May 2021 16:24 BST
• 2 min read

Christian Gross has revealed he did not want to sign either Shkodran Mustafi or Sead Kolasinac from Arsenal prior to his sacking by Schalke.

Appointed by the German club on December 27 of last year, the former Tottenham boss lasted just two months in charge as a result of his 11 games bringing two draws, eight defeats and just one win.

He was given the chance to strengthen the squad in January, bringing in two defenders from north London as well as striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from Ajax.

However, he has described the trio’s contributions thus far as ‘totally disappointing’, sharing his belief that they will all depart at the end of the season.

“I wouldn’t have signed the players we signed in the winter,” Gross told Blick. “I would have tried for a luckier hand.

“They [Mustafi and Kolasinac] would also not have been available for Schalke if they had played often.

“The three, being the most expected players and the ones who should pull the rest for their supposed quality, have so far been totally disappointing.

“It is likely that all three will leave when the season ends and cause more discomfort, although it seems impossible.”

Incredibly, Schalke are now onto their fourth permanent boss of the season having sacked David Wagner and Manuel Baum prior to appointing Gross, who has now been succeeded by Dimitrios Grammozis.

And the 66-year-old believes it is time for the players to take responsibility for an increasingly inevitable relegation to the second tier.

“After the team wore out four coaches with their performances, from now on they can’t complain about anyone but themselves,” he continued.

“The team has made mistakes for months, but also all the sports officials and technicians. ‘It was flagrant, inexplicable and never seen before so many at such a level.”