“Monsters”: Wagner criticizes 50+1 rule

The new Schalke trainer David Wagner has critically questioned the 50+1 rule in German football. “If we want closer competition, then the 50+1 rule is certainly a key,” said the 47-year-old in an interview with the FAZ. In Germany, it is currently the case that the gap between the clubs at the top and all others is widening all the time.

Wagner believes that a “great monster” is sketched here. “If investors are allowed to come, it doesn’t have to mean that some oligarchs are starting to take clubs apart,” he said.

In addition, the former Schalker professional in Gelsenkirchen demanded more courage after the past years. “There were permanent changes here and very little continuity,” Wagner said. This is not a good breeding ground for performance, in such an environment most people would first be very careful.

“I perceived this kind of caution as the predominant feeling here,” said the former team manager of the Premier League club Huddersfield Town: “But courage is the key for us. We want to encourage everyone in the club to dare things, not to be afraid of mistakes.”

Wagner also had a lot of praise for the fans: “What has always been consistently outstandingly good is the north curve, the power in our stadium”. The atmosphere is characterised by great intensity, emotions, energy and cohesion. “Accordingly, the North Curve indicates what kind of football we will play.”