Schalke's broken smithy: Talents shapes instead of chasing titles

Von Kl Redaktion

at a time when the economic challenges of numerous football clubs are becoming increasingly noticeable, FC Schalke 04 relies on a targeted change in its young talent. Raffael Tonello, who has acted as head of the “Knappenschmiede” since April, emphasizes the outstanding importance of the training of talents. The focus is clearly on the long -term development of the players and the financial stability of the association.

a new age in young talent training

The upcoming start of the season on August 3rd against Eintracht Braunschweig not only marks the beginning of the 2nd Bundesliga for the royal blue, but is also under the name of change. Schalke went through a difficult season that was characterized by relegation worries. In order to initiate a turn, Raffael Tonello actively supports the professional department in finding and training talented players. In an interview, he explained that the goal of the "Knappschmiede" is to shape players for the license team and at the same time generate market values.

value of the training via title

TONELLO is of a much higher meaning of the development of players than the preservation of trophies or championships in the junior teams. Especially at a time when financial security is prioritized for the association, those responsible believe that internally trained talents form the key to success. "The real titles are those when a graduate of the briefmiths becomes a regular team in the professional team," said Tonello.

Schalke on the way to the upswing

In the last transfer periods, the association had to make significant changes in the cadre design. Some of these changes have to be financed to other clubs through the sale of promising talents such as Assan Ouédraogo and Keke Topp. The hope is on the offspring to create a reliable source of income in the future. A clear plan for the “interlinking” of the various departments within the club is required by Tonello. These have suffered from internal tensions in the past, but now it is time to combine the various “islands” in the club and work together on a goal.

The future of FC Schalke 04

Raffael Tonello and squad planner Ben Manga recognize the need to improve the cooperation between the different teams. Their common goal is to shape a team in which talents from the “Knappsschmiede” become key players in the first team. "If we can make two or three boys from the broken smithy an integral part of the professionals, it is much, much more worth a German championship," emphasizes Tonello. This philosophy could form the basis for a new pride in the club and lead to a stable economic basis.

- Nag