Trainerkarussell! 2.0

Nach Informationen der englischen Tageszeitung „Times“ buhlt West Bromwich Albion um die Gunst von Trainer Thomas Schaaf (Foto). Demnach haben die Verantwortlichen von West Brom mit dem Ex-Werder-Coach bereits erste Gespräche geführt. Es sei nicht ausgeschlossen, dass Schaaf schon am kommenden Wochenende beim Tabellen-14. der Premier League auf der Bank sitzt.

Andre Villas-Boas linked with German club Schalke 04 after flying into Doha training camp

AVB says he is in Doha to watch struggling Schalke and 'get to know them a little bit' while they train in Qatar during the Bundesliga winter break
New Boas for Schalke? AVB spotted in Doha to watch Schalke's winter friendlies New Boas for Schalke? AVB spotted in Doha to watch Schalke's winter friendlies
Clive Rose

Andre Villas-Boas has been linked with a move to sleeping German giants Schalke 04, after being spotted at the side's Doha training camp in Qatar.

Both Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich are spending the Bundesliga winter break attending training camps in Doha, playing a number of friendlies before the season resumes.

Andre Villas-Boas was recently sacked as Tottenham manager after one and a half seasons in charge of the club, with Tim Sherwood standing up to the plate as his permanent successor.

German club Schalke are struggling in the Bundesliga this season, and current boss Jens Keller is under pressure to lead his side to a Champions League qualifying spot in the German league.

But with a poor defensive record, they find themselves seventh in the Bundesliga, four points adrift of fourth place Borussia Dortmund, and 16 points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich.

AVB shakes hands with Bayern boss Pep Guardiola in Doha, where both Bayern and Schalke are training
Lars Baron


Despite AVB's sackings from Chelsea and Spurs, his ability to organise a team with defensive efficiency would appeal to Schalke bosses.

When asked by local Qatar media why he was in Doha, AVB replied:

"I have come to see the German teams, obviously they are training here, Schalke and Bayern. It's a good time to get to know them a little bit."

Current boss Jens Keller has come under fire in the press this season, and the club released a statement going into the winter break acknowledging that results must improve.

However, they backed Keller to remain in charge for the second-half of the season:

“We had constructive and open talks and analysed everything that needs to be improved.

“Jens Keller and the coaching staff will consequently work on that from Jan. 3 onwards, when we begin our preparations for the second half of the season.”

But if Keller fails to turn things around and lead Schalke to Champions League qualification, Andre Villas-Boas could be lined up as a replacement.

AVB was fired after an indifferent start to the Premier League season by Spurs, who spent hundreds of millions on brining in new players for the 2013/14 season.

The extent to which AVB had control over his budget is the source of debate though, with Tony Pulis recently claiming that Daniel Levy may have had more to do with the signings than the former Spurs boss, defending Villas-Boas, despite their previously difficult relationship.