Can’t be messed with: Karel Geraerts makes three substitutions after half an hour, player who refused hand has been sent to the reserves

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Karel Geraerts is not to be messed with, as Thomas Ouwejan now knows. The Dutch left back was one of three Schalke players who were substituted by Geraerts after half an hour in the match against Fortuna Düsseldorf. Ouwejan refused to shake his trainer’s hand during the substitution and that is now painful for him.

Schalke 04 started the match against Düsseldorf in a dramatic way: after 26 minutes, Geraerts’ troops were already 3-0 behind. Reason enough for the Belgian trainer to make three changes on the half hour: Thomas Ouwejan, Dominick Drexler and Lino Tempelmann were brought into the side. Being substituted in the first half is about the most painful thing you can experience as a footballer, so Thomas Ouwejan was very disappointed/frustrated. The Dutchman refused to shake his trainer’s hand during his substitution and now has to sit on his hands: Geraerts has sent him to the B team.

“I do not accept such behavior. He must have respect for the team, the club and the coach. The team is the most important thing, not the individual,” Geraerts said at the press conference after his team ultimately lost 5-3. “I will certainly not be the first or the last coach to intervene before half time.”

Geraerts also realizes that Schalke’s situation is anything but rosy. The tradition club is currently 16th (out of eighteen teams) after six out of fifteen since Geraerts’ appointment. “It’s not five to twelve, but twelve o’clock! I hope the players understand that. Otherwise I will explain it to them.”

Ouwejan comes up with excuses

Ouwejan has already come up with a response: “The way I behaved after my substitution was not correct. I have apologized to Karel Geraerts and André Hechelmann and I am very happy that they have accepted it. They know me and know that it doesn’t fit my character. I wanted to help the team reverse the deficit, but unfortunately I was unable to do so in the match. The situation was frustrating, but I should never have reacted so emotionally. I would like to apologize to our fans and everyone who supports Schalke.”

© dpa/picture alliance via Getty I

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