FC Schalke 04 has found its new coach. As “Bild” reports, Frank Kramer will be the head coach of the newly promoted Bundesliga team.

The 50-year-old takes over from Michael Büskens, who, as an interim coach, led the Gelsenkirchen team to direct promotion. Most recently, Thomas Letsch (Arnheim) and former Bundesliga professional Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht) were traded as possible candidates. As previously agreed, Büskens, celebrated at Schalke as a “promotion hero”, will return to his old position as assistant coach.

According to “Bild”, Kramer was the cheapest option and was therefore well suited for royal blue. Schalke still have to pay their former coach Dimitrios Grammozis, whose contract has been extended until 2023 due to the promotion.

The fact that Schalke is bringing Kramer back directly to the Bundesliga may also have something to do with Rouven Schröder’s personal experience. Schalke’s sports director and Kramer already worked together at SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the 2013/14 season.

The constellation with Büskens on the coaching staff could prove to be difficult for the new head coach Kramer, despite all the advantages. After all, the ascension hero could be seen as a shadow trainer who would quickly be available as an alternative in the event of failure. Edin Terzic had taken on a similar role with the district rival from Dortmund and thus possibly accelerated the separation from Marco Rose.