RALF RANGNICK, COACH of Schalke 04, has stepped down from his role for health reasons only six months after joining the club.
Rangnick has revealed that he is suffering from exhaustion and the club made the sudden announcement on Thursday morning.
“He has stepped down after discussions this morning,” a club official told Reuters.
Interim coach will be Seppo Eichkorn while Schalke start the search for a new permanent manager. “This decision comes completely out of the blue and I am very surprised,” said club president Clemens Toennies.
“As sad as this is, obviously his health is above everything. We must now find the best solution (to replace Rangnick) and not just the quickest,” he said to reporters.
Rangnick – who led the club to last season’s Champions League semi-finals and victory in the German Cup – simply said that he ‘needed a break.’
“After a long and mature consideration I decided that I needed a break,” the 53-year-old said. “This decision is very hard but my current energy level is not sufficient to be successful and especially to further develop the team.”
“His decision deserves respect,” said Schalke sports director Horst Heldt. “We also believe that health should be put above any professional targets and challenges.”
