Frank Kramer named new Schalke head coach

Kramer was in charge of Arminia Bielefeld between March 2021 and April of this year. The 50-year-old takes the reins from assistant coach Mike Büskens, who steered the Royal Blues back into the Bundesliga as Bundesliga 2 champions after replacing Dimitrios Grammozis on an interim basis with nine games of the 2021/22 season remaining.

"Frank is an absolute team player. Someone who can lead people and likes to gather experts around him to find the best possible solution for the team. And at the same time, he is always ready to go forward and take responsibility - a success-oriented combination in our eyes," said sporting director Rouven Schröder. "The fact that he was chosen is the logical continuation of the path we have been pursuing lately, which is being successful together for Schalke."

The Schalke job is Kramer's fourth in a Bundesliga dugout. He was caretaker coach at Hoffenheim for a couple of matches, before getting the full-time gig at former employers Greuther Fürth late in the 2012/13 campaign. After stints in charge of Fortuna Düsseldorf in Bundesliga 2, the Germany U19s, 20s and 18s, and the Red Bull Salzburg youths, the Memmingen native was installed at Bielefeld.

Kramer managed to save Arminia from the drop in 2020/21 after taking charge with 12 games remaining. His side - promoted under Uwe Neuhaus the previous season - picked up four wins and five draws to climb out of the relegation play-off spot to fourth bottom. Momentum stalled the following campaign, though, with Kramer relieved of his duties and Arminia subsequently relegated alongside Fürth.

"I can hardly wait to start working with the team and staff. Schalke, with its 160,000 members and many millions of fans, is one of the biggest clubs in Germany, and the atmosphere on matchdays at the Veltins Arena is simply fantastic," Kramer added of his new role. "I'm really looking forward to being on the sidelines as head coach and doing my bit to help us achieve our common goal in the coming season."

Kramer is Schalke's 11th permanent head coach in the last 11 years. Die Knappen - seven-time German champions prior to the introduction of the Bundesliga in 1963 - are back in the top flight after a one-season stay in Bundesliga 2. Fifth-tier Bremer SV provide the opposition in his first competitive match at the helm, in the DFB Cup first round, a week before the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign gets under way on 5 August.

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