Vote of confidence for Breitenreiter

Out-going Schalke sporting executive Horst Heldt has insisted that Andre Breitenreiter will remain as head coach until the end of the season at least.

Breitenreiter has come under fire following a poor run of results, which sees the Royal Blues outside the European places after winning just three of their last ten Bundesliga outings.

The 42-year-old hit back at suggestions over the weekend he could make way for Markus Weinzierl – who is currently in charge of top-flight rivals Augsburg – during the off-season.

"I am the Schalke coach and I will be the Schalke coach next season. I don't have to put up with this now," Breitenreiter responded during the TV interview.

After reports in Germany continued to link Weinzierl with the Veltins-Arena hotseat this week, Heldt moved to back Breitenreiter, whose contract in Gelsenkirchen still has a little over 12 months to run.

"Indeed, I can't take a stand on what will happen after that, because I only have responsibility here until June 30," Heldt told a news conference.

"Another one will come in after that. All I can do is tie it to a kind note that Andre Breitenreiter has a contract until 2017."