Schalke 04 said Friday they have asked for police protection at training next week after angry fans attacked the team bus following the club's relegation from the Bundesliga.&nbsp;

A large group of furious supporters pelted the team bus with eggs and confronted players on their return to Gelsenkirchen early Wednesday after defeat at Bielefeld saw Schalke relegated after 30 years in Germany's top flight.

The team has won just two of their 30 games this season.

Some players were reportedly followed to their homes and threatened in the wake of Tuesday's loss - their 21st league defeat of 2020/21.

At least one player's car is said to have been badly damaged before police intervened.

Schalke have no game this weekend, but sports director Peter Knaebel has asked for police help when training resumes Monday.

In a statement Friday, Schalke said they have "already initiated measures to ensure the safety and security of the players and staff".

Knaebel also told Bild that he "can live with it" if any player refuses to play their last four remaining games.

The Schalke boss blames himself for not taking steps to protect the team on their return from Bielefeld.

"People were in danger, things got damaged. We were lucky that nothing worse happened to our people," Knaebel told German daily Bild.

"I apologise to the players and staff."

In a statement, the club said it will not tolerate instances where the "health and safety of its employees are threatened or endangered."

"A line was crossed on Wednesday morning, and these events have deeply shaken the club.

"Violence is never justified, neither in sport, nor in society."&nbsp;

Schalke 04 said Friday they have asked for police protection at training next week after angry fans attacked the team bus following the club's relegation from the Bundesliga.

Schalke 04 said Friday they have asked for police protection at training next week after angry fans attacked the team bus following the club's relegation from the Bundesliga. A large group of furious supporters pelted the team bus with eggs and confronted players on their return to Gelsenkirchen early Wednesday after defeat at Bielefeld saw Schalke relegated after 30 years in Germany's top flight. The team has won just two of their 30 games this season. Some players were reportedly followed to their homes and threatened in the wake of Tuesday's loss - their 21st league defeat of 2020/21. At least one player's car is said to have been badly damaged before police intervened. Schalke have no game this weekend, but sports director Peter Knaebel has asked for police help when training resumes Monday. In a statement Friday, Schalke said they have "already initiated measures to ensure the safety and security of the players and staff". Knaebel also told Bild that he "can live with it" if any player refuses to play their last four remaining games. The Schalke boss blames himself for not taking steps to protect the team on their return from Bielefeld. "People were in danger, things got damaged. We were lucky that nothing worse happened to our people," Knaebel told German daily Bild. "I apologise to the players and staff." In a statement, the club said it will not tolerate instances where the "health and safety of its employees are threatened or endangered." "A line was crossed on Wednesday morning, and these events have deeply shaken the club. "Violence is never justified, neither in sport, nor in society."

Relegated Schalke seek police protection from angry fans

Bundesliga club FC Schalke on Sunday sacked almost their complete sporting leadership group, including head coach Christian Gross, following an alleged player revolt after the German club's 16th&nbsp;league defeat took their season deeper into crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The decision had become unavoidable after results against Dortmund and Stuttgart," said Schalke chairman Jens Buchta in a statement following Schalke's 5-1 loss to Stuttgart on Saturday, a week after a defeat&nbsp;to arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The team now owe it to the club and the fans to be as successful as possible in the last third of the season."&nbsp;

&nbsp;Head coach Gross, sporting&nbsp;director Jochen Schneider and team&nbsp;co-ordinator&nbsp;Sascha Riether were all sacked from their respective roles in Sunday's mass clear out of FC Schalke. Gross’ assistant Rainer Widmayer and fitness coach Were&nbsp;Leuthard&nbsp;were also fired from their roles&nbsp;with the move coming with one-time giants Schalke lying bottom of the Bundesliga standings and nine points clear of safety after winning just one of their 23 league matches in the ongoing 2020-21 season.&nbsp;

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Schalke are now heading towards their first-ever relegation since 1988. Notably, they were playing Champions League football two seasons ago – making their dip even more shocking.&nbsp;

Gross took over Schalke just two months ago, taking over from interim coach Huub Stevens to&nbsp;become&nbsp;the club's fourth coach of the season.&nbsp;

While Gross won his second game in charge – defying a record-equalling&nbsp;54-year-old Bundesliga record of 31 matches without a win. However, he couldn't stop the downward spiral.&nbsp;

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Reports of player revolt against Gross came to light in the German media last week.&nbsp;Team&nbsp;co-ordinator&nbsp;Reither played down the speculations,&nbsp;saying it was "normal that players are disappointed"&nbsp;&nbsp;

However, both Gross and Reither were relieved of their duties on Sunday.&nbsp;The club has already begun to rebuild for the second division, handing over squad planning duties to loan director Mike&nbsp;Bueskens&nbsp;and youth director Peter Knaebel.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A replacement for Gross as head coach is yet to be announced.&nbsp;

Bundesliga club FC Schalke on Sunday sacked almost their complete sporting leadership group, including head coach Christian Gross, following an alleged player revolt after the German club's 16th league defeat took their season deeper into crisis.

Bundesliga club FC Schalke on Sunday sacked almost their complete sporting leadership group, including head coach Christian Gross, following an alleged player revolt after the German club's 16th league defeat took their season deeper into crisis. "The decision had become unavoidable after results against Dortmund and Stuttgart," said Schalke chairman Jens Buchta in a statement following Schalke's 5-1 loss to Stuttgart on Saturday, a week after a defeat to arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund. "The team now owe it to the club and the fans to be as successful as possible in the last third of the season." Head coach Gross, sporting director Jochen Schneider and team co-ordinator Sascha Riether were all sacked from their respective roles in Sunday's mass clear out of FC Schalke. Gross’ assistant Rainer Widmayer and fitness coach Were Leuthard were also fired from their roles with the move coming with one-time giants Schalke lying bottom of the Bundesliga standings and nine points clear of safety after winning just one of their 23 league matches in the ongoing 2020-21 season. ALSO READ: Table tennis sensation Anna Hursey, 14, set to help US President Joe Biden fight climate crisis Schalke are now heading towards their first-ever relegation since 1988. Notably, they were playing Champions League football two seasons ago – making their dip even more shocking. Gross took over Schalke just two months ago, taking over from interim coach Huub Stevens to become the club's fourth coach of the season. While Gross won his second game in charge – defying a record-equalling 54-year-old Bundesliga record of 31 matches without a win. However, he couldn't stop the downward spiral. ALSO READ: Man City stride clear, Brighton pay the penalty amid refereeing chaos Reports of player revolt against Gross came to light in the German media last week. Team co-ordinator Reither played down the speculations, saying it was "normal that players are disappointed" However, both Gross and Reither were relieved of their duties on Sunday. The club has already begun to rebuild for the second division, handing over squad planning duties to loan director Mike Bueskens and youth director Peter Knaebel. A replacement for Gross as head coach is yet to be announced.

Relegation-bound FC Schalke 04 sack coach Gross in major clear out

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Relegated Schalke seek police protection from angry fans

Relegation-bound FC Schalke 04 sack coach Gross in major clear out