By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- For good reason, the FC Schalke 04 has developed into an object of scorn and ridicule.
24 games without a victory have turned the Royal Blues into the Bundesliga's bottom team.
If that was not bad enough, debt totalling 240 million euro is compounding the dire situation at the club.
Fans are threatening to turn their backs on the club while the team seems to be falling apart. The coaching staff also seems to have lost control.
What sounds like a horror-movie has become a reality and seems to be endangering the club's future.
This week's developments are a new low point, including the concern there might be more to come.
Squad-planner Michael Reschke has left with immediate effect as has striker Vedad Ibisevic. Midfielder Amine Harit and defender Nabil Bentaleb were all suspended and are expected to leave shortly.
The club hopes the drastic steps lead to a reboot, but doubts remain.
In the club's biggest crisis, Jochen Schneider, the board's head, is demanding unity and the end of egotistical thinking.
"Schalke is a club of extremes. We madly love each other when things are going well, but currently, we are tearing each other apart," the 50-year-old said.
Schneider complains that a lot of energy is being wasted on struggles within the club. "That is harming any on-pitch progress."
COACHING PROBLEM
Head coach Manuel Baum has to regain the locker-room trust since losing most players' support after six unsuccessful games.
Players claim the former teacher is treating them like young schoolchildren.
The team's mood has hit rock bottom after assistant coach Naldo was unable to deliver solutions and create a positive mindset.
The coaching duo had to deal with serious cases of disrespectful behavior among the players.
Critics accuse Baum of bad tactics, while Naldo got involved in a fierce scuffle with Ibisevic during training. The session had to be suspended.
The imbalanced squad seems to be falling apart with various groups following different interests.
Pundits expect more players to leave and fear Schalke could be relegated at the end of the season.
MISMANAGEMENT
Reschke is accused of having selected a squad lacking the quality to secure first division status apart from bold dreams of reaching a European competition.
The 63-year-old's relationship with Schneider blew up after different opinions regarding the club's strategy came to light.
Schneider's plans to create stability with Baum and Naldo have failed.
FAN UNREST
Supporters still oppose the club's plan to outsource the professional section to attract additional investors providing financial support.
The club's tradition doesn't meet with modern company policies, the fans claim.
Having to play games behind closed doors currently seems more advantageous than to face fan unrest in the arena.
SPORTING FUTURE
The upcoming league games against leading sides such as Moenchengladbach and Leverkusen don't speak for a quick turn-around. Schalke will be trapped in a nerve-wracking relegation battle until the end of the season.
If things don't work, the struggling club leaders might consider another coaching change. Enditem
