Bayern visit puts pressure on Slomka

[TAREK®]

The visit of FC Bayern München is a big day for any Bundesliga coach – but for Mirko Slomka it could decide his future at FC Schalke 04.

Speculation
Schalke president Josef Schnusenberg was quoted this week identifying a "need for action" concerning Slomka's position, and talking about a coach "with international standing", which some took to mean José Mourinho. Chairman Clemens Tönnies dampened speculation by describing Schnusenberg's words as a "wake-up call, nothing else", but there is no doubt these are important days for Slomka.
Vital games
His team, so close to the title last season, lie fifth in the Bundesliga, nine points behind Saturday's opponents, the leaders. And on Wednesday they go to FC Porto holding a slender 1-0 UEFA Champions League first knockout round advantage. Tönnies defined success as avoiding defeat by Bayern and eliminating Porto, but is also looking beyond these matches. "I told Mirko how important the games are," he said. "But I am not just thinking of Bayern and Porto."
Changes
The pressure has piled on Slomka since back-to-back Bundesliga losses at home to VfL Wolfsburg and away to Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Slomka will change his lineup and field Carlos Grossmüller in place of suspended midfielder Jermaine Jones, while Albert Streit could support the Germany strike duo of Kevin Kuranyi and Gerald Asamoah. "It is obvious we have to change something," Slomka said.
Bayern worry
However, Bayern themselves were far from convincing in Wednesday's last-gasp 1-0 extra-time defeat of second division TSV 1860 München in the German Cup quarter-finals. "We dominated the game, but nothing happens," said captain Oliver Kahn. "We just don't score and everything is tedious and difficult."

Source: UEFA.COM

[M|ch]

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