Legenda - The career of Luka Elsner

An up and down month. It started alot worse than it finished, which in itself is a positive, as you are currently on a 2 game winning run. Just focus on getting those 6 points, and hopefully players of Origis quality can salvage it

That seems very harsh from the board, sitting just outside the top four isn't bad going. Hopefully you can get the points required and prove to be the right man.

2020-05-04 13:53#269689 Griffo : Honoured mate, you are producing absolute quality, keep up the awesome work

Edit: This is the guy that got me going, check it out if you have a second: https://www.fmscout.com/q-12451-Oriental-Lisbon--One-Step-Closer.html

Thanks, will have to check it out!

ScottT - For sure a roller coaster month! Failing to advance in the Europa League seemed to be a nearly fatal blow. Despite the bad luck and quantity of injuries.

Eoin97 - Absolutely must focus on these next few matches, get the required points and forge ahead!

TheLFCFan - I agree, we are right there in contention for Europa League and with a good form we could get into Champions League qualification. A bit harsh for sure!

• An absolute thrashing of Wolfsburg! Dahoud and Origi each with a brace with Origi also assisting on our final goal from Hartmann. Finally we play well on both ends!
• Hoffenheim purely outclassed us all over the pitch in a dominating defeat for the boys.
• Frankfurt struck first after a scoreless first half with a goal from Tim Leibold in the 47th minute. Origi tried to take over the match in the final 15 minutes, finally assisting on Maitland-Niles goal in the 89th minute. Origi also created another goal that was ruled off due to a foul. A tough draw but lucky to get it as well.

The leaves Elsner with a must win match against Hertha BSC.

A decent month, getting some important points on the board. Next month though, Schalke have to be at their absolute best to see Elsner keep his place at the helm in Gelsengirchen...

Fingers crossed that Elsner can capture the three points he needs to continue his tenure in Gelsenkirchen.

After failing to get the mandated 9 points from the previous 5 matches, after 1-0 loss against Hertha BSC. Schalke has terminated Luka Elsner's contract immediately after the match. Members of the squad reported that Elsner was not allowed to make a final post game speech and did not return with the team to Gelsenkirchen.

Elsner has refused multiple media interviews but did make an appearance on social media, "I would like to thank the squad for giving me everything they had. I am proud of the work we did to reshape the future of Schalke going forward - not only the senior squad but the youth setup is greatly improved from where it was a year ago. I am disappointed that I will not be able to see this project through. I am a big believer in failure is the biggest avenue for future growth. I look forward to taking a couple months to reflect on my time at Schalke and Union SG before getting back to work. See you soon."

That is harsh. I wonder where he will go next?

Geez that is rough... looking forward to seeing Luka build himself back up

Football is football, it's a cut throat business at the best of times. Hopefully Luka can get the ball rolling with an even better job next

Wow, can't see many wanting to work under that board!

In late May, Elsner started to find himself a hot commodity in France with SM Caen and Clermont both requesting interviews. Elsner was excited for the opportunity to return to France. Supporters from both clubs were anxious to hear that Elsner was named their manager. However, SM Caen decided to hire veteran manager Alain Casanova from Toulouse FC. Supporters were outraged to hear the news, Elsner was shocked as the interview went extremely well and both sides shared a common vision.

The very next day Clermont announced they had agreed to terms with Pascal Dupraz to be their next manager, leving Elsner in the cold once again. Elsner was not disappointed by the news, in fact he expected it after challenging the club's vision during the interview. Clermont simply was not willing to compromise.

On June 1, AS Saint-Etienne President Roland Romeyer asked Elsner to discuss possibility of becoming their next manager. Elsner was flattered and agreed to meet later that day. Elsner impressed Romeyer and they both shared a common vision, the squad needed to get younger. On the 4th of June it was announced that Elsner has been hired as the new manager of ASSE, replacing 67 year old Christian Gourcuff.



A chance to manager one of the most successful clubs in France and a true fallen giant. What better way to resurrect Elsner's career than try to bring them back to the top. I always envisioned this career heading into France at some point, hopefully remaining here for the rest of his career but let's see how things evolve.

Oh and by the way, Schalke finished the season in 7th place - failing to qualify for the Europa League after replacing Elsner with Jeff Saibene. Karma at it's finest.


I do not remember seeing an older squad in FM...

That said there are some good pieces here and a lot of old players with contracts expiring at the end of next season that we have no intent of keeping around. It will be a busy summer for sure, with a complete squad overhaul expected.

A familiar name, Matthias Normann who played for Elsner at Union SG is in the squad. He was impressive two years ago before getting injured.

Samuel Grandsir has a lot of attention from around Europe, we need to lock him down asap. However, a nice fee would be okay to start the retooling of this squad.

At Goalie, veteran Stephane Ruffier is still anchoring the position with Denis Scherbitsky able to fill in nicely. Also, a youngster to be groomed in Stefan Bajic who had an impressive season at OHL in Belgium.

Almost every other position will see some movement...

The side certainly needs a lot of rejuvenation. However this appears to be an interesting project for Elsner. I have a lot of time for Saint-Etienne. Good luck!

An absolute fallen giant, what a good choice to bring this club back!