Overview

• Frank Baumann, former sporting director at Werder Bremen, has been appointed as Schalke 04's new sporting director after months of searching.
• Baumann's official start date is set for the summer, though he is already contributing to Schalke's planning and operations behind the scenes.
• The position had been vacant since Peter Knäbel's departure in early 2024, with Youri Mulder serving as interim sporting director during the search.
• Schalke faced challenges in securing the role, with negotiations involving high-profile candidates like Fredi Bobic and Jonas Boldt falling through.
• Final approval from Schalke's internal committees is still required, but Baumann's appointment is widely expected to proceed without issue.