Schalke 04 find new head coach Thomas Reis

The German Bundesliga bottom team Schalke 04 has signed Thomas Reis as the new head coach. Reis, who was released by local rivals VfL Bochum in September, succeeds Frank Kramer, as the promoted team from Gelsenkirchen announced on Thursday.

Kramer was on leave from the club of currently injured Austrian Leo Greiml after just four months due to the disappointing start to the season last week. Reis is already the seventh coach of the traditional club in two years.

According to media reports, as in the summer before Kramer’s commitment, Schalke again received a number of rejections when looking for a coach. Bruno Labbadia, among others, is said to have waved him off. As a possible successor, media reports had also brought Sturm Graz coach Christian Ilzer into play. He dismissed the speculation as rumours.