Schalke 04 secured their return to the Bundesliga with a 1-0 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf, but club icon Huub Stevens has sounded a cautious note. The former coach believes the promoted side must significantly strengthen their squad to compete in Germany’s top flight.
“I hope the financial situation looks better, but I can’t judge that. On the sporting side, it’s clear: a lot needs to happen. Four, five, maybe six new players are needed who really fit Schalke. In the current form, it will be tough in the Bundesliga,” Stevens told Sport1.
Stevens, who led Schalke to the UEFA Cup title in 1997, is confident the club wants to be competitive. “Schalke wants to play well and have good games against big opponents,” he said. “But for that, it’s not enough yet.” He added that the foundation is there: “The coach and coaching staff are fine, now we need to build.”
To finance the necessary reinforcements, Stevens once again pushed for the return of former chairman Clemens Tönnies. “My advice would be: bring Clemens Tönnies back on board. That would be important because the club needs financial support,” he said.
Tönnies resigned from his roles at Schalke in summer 2020 after widespread criticism over coronavirus outbreaks at his meat factories. But Stevens defended him: “He has Schalke in his heart. The Ultras did him an injustice. Clemens didn’t deserve that.”