Marc Wilmots is on the verge of returning to Schalke 04. According to various German media outlets and the Belgian Sporza, the club icon is expected to be appointed as the sporting director of the fallen top club later this week.
The impending appointment of the 54-year-old Marc Wilmots as the sporting director at Schalke 04 signals a significant shift in responsibilities, with the seasoned football figure poised to assume a substantial part of Peter Knäbel's role.
This development follows Monday's unexpected announcement that Knäbel, the executive, will be stepping down from his position immediately, a departure that occurred several months earlier than originally planned.
Schalke 04's recent performance has been nothing short of disappointing. The club, once a Bundesliga mainstay, faced relegation last season and currently languishes in the fourteenth position on the second tier. In stark contrast, during Wilmots' playing tenures at Schalke 04, spanning from 1996 to 2000 and then from 2001 to 2003, the club held a formidable stature, often posing a significant challenge to powerhouses like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Wilmots, a true club icon, achieved a pinnacle with Schalke 04 under the management of Huub Stevens in 1997, clinching the UEFA Cup. Notably, that season marked the final time the tournament's final was contested over two legs. Wilmots etched his name in the club's history by scoring the sole goal in the first leg against Internazionale (1-0) and contributing as one of the Schalke 04 players who found the net in the decisive penalty shootout during the return leg.
Beyond his playing career, Wilmots transitioned to coaching, and his most recent coaching stint was with Moroccan club Raja Casablanca. However, his tenure came to an end on February 21, 2022, as he parted ways with the club. Now, as he prepares to take on a pivotal role at Schalke 04, the football community awaits to see the impact of Wilmots' experience and leadership on the club's trajectory.
