Wagner excited for Revierderby

Schalke boss David Wagner says he cannot wait to be in the dugout for Saturday’s Revierderby with Borussia Dortmund at the Veltins-Arena. Former Huddersfield boss Wagner was appointed as Schalke’s new manager during the summer and he has made a strong start to life at the Royal Blues, as they currently sit seventh in the Bundesliga standings, but they are only two points behind table-toppers Borussia Monchengladbach.
Wagner will now perhaps face his biggest match as Schalke boss to date when his side take on rivals BVB on Saturday, although the 48-year-old is no stranger to the Revierderby, as he is a former player at the Veltins-Arena, while he also spent five years as a coach at Dortmund.
The former United States international will certainly be hoping to put that experience to good use on Saturday, although he knows it will be a completely different feeling being the main man in the dugout. “For me there is extreme anticipation,” Wagner told reporters. “I am just as excited as everyone else for this game. We cannot wait and want the derby to finally start.”
However, Wagner has also urged his players not to be overawed by the occasion, as Schalke eye a victory that would see them move above Dortmund in the standings. “It is important that you focus on the essentials and try to separate yourself from the euphoria and the emotion,” Wagner added. “The emotion is incredibly important but it is just as important to focus.”