Super Lig: Boateng backs former Schalke midfielder Reis as co‑coach
The 38‑year‑old Jérôme Boateng returns to football business after an appearance at the Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi: He is expected to arrive this weekend on the Black Sea coast at Trabzonspor to work there as an assistant coach in Thomas Reis's team. The Turkish journalist Hasan Tüncel confirmed that Boateng was not the first choice for the job.
First choice missed
Before Boateng's appointment, negotiations were held with Markus Gellhaus, but they failed. Gellhaus, assistant coach at Borussia Mönchengladbach since this season, had previously worked with Reis at VfL Bochum and Schalke 04. The failed choice ultimately led to Boateng's hiring.
Coaching career and controversies
For Boateng this is his first coaching position at professional level; he gained his first experience as an assistant coach with the amateurs of LASK in Linz, where he was most recently active as a player. A planned training visit to FC Bayern was cancelled after protests from Bayern fans, a banner read: “No place for character pigs in our club – No more room for Boateng.”
Thomas Reis, who has been in charge for just under a week, took over the post from Fatih Tekke and celebrated his debut with a 4‑0 win over Galatasaray, with Mohamed Salah scoring a hat‑trick. His decision to sign Boateng was demanded by Reis himself.
Jérôme Boateng has been a polarising figure in professional football for several allegations of domestic violence, court cases and convictions. For many fans in German football he is considered a persona non grata, a circumstance that was summarised again in an overview from 2024.
The arrival of the former international on the Black Sea coast marks the official start of his new role in Turkish football. Thus Boateng's Süper Lig stint is linked to a controversial background that now continues within the coaching staff of Trabzonspor.
The contrast between Boateng's disputed past and his current position shows that Trabzonspor is willing to set new impulses despite criticism – a sign that sporting decisions are sometimes placed above personal controversies.