Knäbel to leave Schalke at the end of the season
Peter Knäbel has decided to leave his position as board member for sport at Schalke 04 at the end of the season.
Schalke 04 board member for sport Peter Knäbel has decided to leave the club at the end of the season.
This was confirmed by the 2. Bundesliga club in a statement on Wednesday.
"It has been a positive exchange characterised by mutual respect, which is why Peter’s decision didn’t surprise us. Peter joined the board during the biggest crisis in the club’s recent history and played a big role in ensuring that the club was able to survive on the pitch after relegation and cope financially off the field in 2021," said Axel Hefer, chairman of the supervisory board at Schalke 04.
"Whilst in charge, Peter was able to provide important impulse which helped with the club’s further development. We can already see the positive results, especially within the academy as there are now far more top talents. We would now like to thank him for the work he has done."
Knäbel was initially appointed as Schalke's director of academy and development in 2018. Three years later - in 2021 - he was appointed director of sport. Reflecting on his desire to leave, he said:
“For me, it was important to get things sorted in good time, which is why I spoke to Axel Hefer a few weeks ago to tell him about my future plans. I want to move back to Switzerland to be with my family. During the remainder of my time here, I will still be in daily contact with head coach Karel Geraerts and sporting director André Hechelmann to support them, whilst I will also finish off important projects, including one regarding digitisation. I will do all I can to help Schalke 04 be successful until my final day of work here."