Schalke hopes for miracle from pensioner Christian Gross

2020-12-28 01:36:08 GMT2020-12-28 09:36:08(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Struggling FC Schalke 04 never seems to run out of surprising ideas. This Sunday, the German first-tier side appointed their fourth coach after only 13 rounds of matches this season.

As if that wasn't enough attention, the Royal Blues' choice is causing further astonishment.

66-year-old Swiss Christian Gross is returning from retirement after an eight-year absence from European football to face what is seen as a mission impossible.

Gross's golden times lie in the past, just as Schalke's do.

The six-time Swiss Champion disappeared from the radar in Europe after joining Saudi-Arabian and Egyptian clubs and announced his retirement last May.

In some of the club's darkest hours, Schalke's sport chief, Jochen Schneider, remembered Gross' achievements when working together at VfB Stuttgart from December 2009 to October 2010.

The former midfielder led Stuttgart back to international competition, delivering a stunning set of results but was sacked after only seven matches in the next season.

The setback seemed to have damaged his reputation as a successful rescuer after he had secured Tottenham's Premier League participation in 1997/98.

Gross was the first Swiss in the Premier League but was fired after only three matches the season after his successful mission.

The Swiss is known for his tough character and reliance on iron discipline. The coach is said to fancy a significant amount of adventurism.

For that reason, Schalke offered a short-term contract expiring after this season. Reports speak of a low salary combined with big incentives if he saves the team from relegation.

This Monday, Gross and his team face Hertha BSC, followed by a duel against Hoffenheim a week later, only four days after his first training session this Monday.

After 13 games without a victory and seven points from safety, a successful start is vital to keep hopes for Schalke alive.

"Christian Gross has proved in Germany and England he can successfully manage tasks like ours. He will lead the team with a clear policy demanding a commitment from everyone," Schneider said in an official statement.

"Over the next five months, it's all about Schalke and our goal to secure the Bundesliga," the Schalke official stated.

Gross confirmed the agreement by saying: "We must work with everyone's feet behind the line. I want to feel the ambitions of every single player."

The Swiss called for everyone around the team to follow his way "as we need the positive mood of the entire club. I will do everything to be successful and reach our goals," he added. "We need shape, but more than that, we need confidence." Enditem

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