Tedesco under pressure: European qualification is a must for Schalke
Schalke 04 coach Domenico Tedesco is under pressure after losing the first five Bundesliga games of the season. He knows that European qualification is a must.
After last night's 1-0 defeat to SC Freiburg, Schalke 04 have now lost the first five Bundesliga games of the season.
The horror start has put Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco under pressure. Qualification for European football is always expected at the Gelsenkirchen club, and Tedesco and his team now have a mountain to climb.
"It's clear that our demand and goal is to always qualify for an international competition. Above all to make sure the the financial distance to our competitors will not increase," Schalke 04 sporting director Christian Heidel told Bild and continued:
"Our neighbor Dortmund, for example, has a turnover of more than €400 million this year. With our Champions League participation, we reach about €340 million. Without the Champions League, it would be about €60 million less. And secondly, we can only keep our good reputation, if Schalke are represented internationally."
Despite last night's defeat, Tedesco remains optimistic that his team can turn things around.
"The guys did a great job. That was the best performance this year," he told Sky after the final whistle and added:
"We have to continue in the same way."
Schalke will get a new chance to win their first Bundesliga game of the season when Mainz visit the Veltins-Arena on Saturday.