“We're a hard-working group, like Huddersfield, who try to play with dignity, passion and heart” - FC Schalke 04 fan on David Wagner.
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: Schalke 04
With the Bundesliga returning behind closed doors, how are David Wagner’s Schalke side performing? Ahead of the Revierderby against Borussia Dortmund, we spoke to Schalke fan podcast, SchalkeMerica, for the inside scoop.
This weekend, the Bundesliga returns becoming the first European league to restart following the coronavirus outbreak. While football in the UK still seems a way off, it gives many Town fans an exciting opportunity to check in on previous manager David Wagner. He took over The Royal Blues in May after departing from The Terriers in January last year by mutual consent.
Wagner, who previously spent two years at Schalke as a player, has steered the German side to a sixth place position before the outbreak, a dramatic improvement on last season’s 14th place. With the team currently occupying a Europa League position, can they finish the season on a high?
And He Takes That Chance spoke to Richard Kharman, from Schalke fan podcast, SchalkeMerica, to hear first-hand how David Wagner has been getting on since leaving The Terriers, how fans feel about football returning and why Huddersfield fans should pick Schalke as their German side.
Schalke defender Ozan Kabak training earlier this week in a mask. Photo source: Schalke 04
What has been the reaction to the Bundesliga restarting?
Overall it has been a positive one. Many people have their trepidation that it's too soon, including some players like Neven Subotic of Union Berlin.
All miss the game and the league does have a pretty good safety protocol in place to try and prevent any further spread.
How do you feel about the season restarting and playing the rest of the season behind closed doors?
I'm glad it's starting back up but like many, the prospect of playing without fans does seem odd. Having big games like the Revierderby played behind closed doors just doesn't seem right. But it is far too soon to bring in fans and I wouldn't want next year's campaign postponed any so a restart now sounds like the right move.
What was your initial reaction when David Wagner was announced as manager? Was he well received?
Honestly, initially, I was like who? The first thing I heard about him was he was Klopp's best friend from Dortmund, so naturally, I was very sceptical.
Then I researched him and saw his time at Huddersfield and what he did there and was intrigued. Like many Schalke fans, we watched many tactical videos about him on YouTube and were very excited at the prospect of playing attractive, attacking football again. A style not too dissimilar to Klopp. That I loved and couldn't wait for his tenure to begin.
David Wagner (right) helped Schalke win the 1997 UEFA Cup as a player. Photo source: DW
What is your opinion of David Wagner this season? Has he done anything that has impressed you?
I'm very impressed with him thus far, though I'm curious how he'll handle the current downslope in performance and hiatus in play. Can he restart their mentality? Overall though, he got the team to play attacking football and using a high press to cause turnovers. Our team has rallied around him and took to his style and tactics immediately. Players like Amine Harit, Suat Serdar and Benito Raman have had the greatest improvement under Wagner and that has helped push us way up the table.
What is the overall fans’ verdict on David Wagner this season?
The fans are overwhelming happy about the signing of Wagner. The team is playing with heart and doing well in the table. Again the recent slide has us holding our breath, but he's once again returned joy to Veltins Arena after a disastrous campaign last year.
How would you rate Schalke’s season before the pause?
A stark improvement from the previous year but the form post-winter break has many wondering if we can turn things around. Only one win and now ten points behind 5th place.
Richard Kharman admits it’s going to be weird watching the team with no fans in the stadium this weekend. Photo source: Schalke 04
You’re currently in a Europa League position, what are you expecting for the rest of the season for Schalke?
The expectation is for the club to turn things around and keep that last European position. It would be nice if they can close the gap with 5th, but at minimum, keep serve and not lose any more ground. Play attacking football once again.
Who have been Schalke’s best players this season?
By far Amine Harit, then Suat Serdar, Benito Raman, JonJoe Kenny and Ozan Kabak.
How are your young players doing? Jonjoe Kenny and Rabbi Matondo have been getting a lot of attention in the UK.
Both have featured a lot with Kenny securing the RB position. Kenny, in particular, has breathed new life to the attack and given Daniel Caligiuri more freedom to focus on the offensive end of the game. Rabbi has been a great injection of speed for us and really causes havoc on opposition defences. Look no further than the first Derby vs Dortmund this season to see what kind of damage his pace caused their defence.
The Revierderby against Borussia Dortmund is one of the Bundesliga’s key matches . Photo source: Schalke 04
Apart from having our former manager, why should Huddersfield Town fans pick Schalke as their German team?
We're an underdog story too and share many similarities in terms of spirit and blue-collar mentality. We're a tight-knit group, thanks to Wagner, and our history is long and prosperous. We have many English speaking players and two great English accounts on Twitter.
How are you feeling about the Revierderby against Borussia Dortmund? What’s the story behind the rivalry?
This has been a long, fierce Derby between locals for decades. Dortmund will tell you it started in the 70's onward but that's mostly because they were dominated by us from the 20s through 70s.
Before the hiatus, we were worried about our form coupled with the form of Dortmund and Haaland in particular. Hopefully, this break will show down their good momentum and give us a new life for the remainder of our season. The Derby is always tight. Just look at the overall record.
Anything you’d like to add?
Thanks to Huddersfield and their fans for allowing us a glimpse into what Wagner brought to you and we're a hard-working group, like Huddersfield, who try to play with dignity, passion and heart every week. Can't say the same about Dortmund and Bayern!
Will you be watching the Schalke game? Let us know in the comments!
