Thomas Reis

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Thomas Reis
Reis with Samsunspor in 2025
Personal information
Full nameThomas Reis
Date of birth (1973-10-04) 4 October 1973 (age 52)
Place of birthWetheim, West Germany
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)
Team information
Current team
Samsunspor (head coach)
Youth career
–1989FC Wertheim-Eichel
1989–1990VfB Stuttgart
1990–1992Eintracht Frankfurt
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1992–1995Eintracht Frankfurt16(2)
1995–2003VfL Bochum176(16)
2002–2003VfL Bochum II1(1)
2003–2004FC Augsburg27(3)
2004–2005Eintracht Trier23(1)
2005–2006Waldhof Mannheim4(1)
Total247(24)
International career
1993–1995Germany U-217(0)
Managerial career
2011VfL Bochum (women)
2014–2015VfL Bochum II
2019–2022VfL Bochum
2022–2023Schalke 04
2024–Samsunspor
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Thomas Reis (German pronunciation: [ˈtoːmas ˈʁaɪs], born 4 October 1973) is a German football manager and former professional player who's the current head coach of Süper Lig club Samsunspor.

As a player, he began his career at Wertheim-Eichel and later played for clubs like VfB Stuttgart, Eintracht Frankfurt, and VfL Bochum, primarily in defensive and midfield roles. His career highlights include helping Bochum achieve Bundesliga promotion and playing for Germany U-21. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching, starting with Bochum’s youth department and eventually managing the senior team. Reis gained prominence for his tactical acumen, notably leading Bochum to Bundesliga promotion in 2021. Later stints included managing Schalke 04 and, as of 2024, heading Turkish club Samsunspor.[1][2][3][4][5]

Club career

[edit]

Reis began his football career as a youth player with his hometown club FC Wertheim-Eichel, later joining VfB Stuttgart, where he reached the final of the B-Youth Championship in the 1989–90 season. He even scored Stuttgart’s only goal in a 1–2 loss against 1. FC Köln. He then progressed to Eintracht Frankfurt, where his professional journey took off.

In the 1992–93 season, Reis joined the professional squad of Eintracht Frankfurt and made his Bundesliga debut on 4 October 1992, in a 4–0 victory against his former club, VfB Stuttgart. Substituted in the 83rd minute for Axel Kruse, Reis showcased his potential. During this time, from 1993 to 1995, he also played for the German U-21 national team. However, he struggled to secure a starting position in Frankfurt, managing only 16 Bundesliga appearances over three years.

In 1995, Reis moved to VfL Bochum in the 2. Bundesliga. His first season was a massive success, with VfL Bochum earning promotion to the Bundesliga, thanks in part to Reis’s 31 appearances. The following year saw VfL Bochum achieve an impressive 5th place in the Bundesliga, with Reis playing every single match of the season.

Although Bochum initially enjoyed top-tier success, they faced relegation in 1999 and 2001, with Reis still a vital part of the team. However, they also managed to bounce back, celebrating promotion in 2000 and 2002. After yet another Bundesliga season in 2002–03, Reis left Bochum, marking the end of an era.

Reis joined FC Augsburg in the Regionalliga Süd for the 2003–04 season, narrowly missing promotion with a 4th place finish after 27 appearances and 3 goals. Seeking new challenges, he moved to Eintracht Trier in the 2. Bundesliga, but his fortunes declined as Eintracht Trier was relegated due to a goal difference just one goal worse than Energie Cottbus on the 14th spot. This marked a heartbreaking end to his time in Trier.

In the 2005–06 season, Reis signed with SV Waldhof Mannheim in the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg. However, his impact was limited, with just four appearances and one goal, signaling the twilight of his playing career.

From youth championships with VfB Stuttgart to Bundesliga highs with Bochum and dramatic battles at FC Augsburg and Eintracht Trier, Thomas Reis’s career exemplifies resilience and passion for football. Despite the ups and downs, his contributions to Bochum’s success and his journey across German football remain memorable.

Managerial career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Reis began his managerial career at VfL Bochum in 2009, working in the club’s youth department. He initially served as a scout before taking on roles as a coach and assistant to the head of the youth program. In February 2012, he transitioned to the first team as an assistant coach under Karsten Neitzel, a position he held until 9 April 2013.

Following his time with the first team, Reis took charge of the U-19 team and, in January 2014, became the head coach of the U-23 squad. By January 2015, he returned to the senior team as an assistant coach. On March 30, 2015, he earned the prestigious DFB Football Coaching License, solidifying his qualifications as a top-level coach.

On 6 September 2019, After previously serving as the women’s team and as the academy’s head coach, Reis was appointed manager of VfL Bochum marking the beginning of his tenure in senior management. Under his leadership, the team displayed resilience and a clear tactical structure, which eventually led to their promotion to the Bundesliga in the 2020–21 season after an 11 year absence from Germany’s top flight. His managerial style emphasized disciplined defensive organization combined with quick transitions, earning him recognition as a tactically astute coach.[6]

Reis continued to guide VfL Bochum through their return to the Bundesliga, ensuring competitive performances against established top-tier teams. His ability to motivate players and adapt strategies during challenging periods became a defining aspect of his managerial career.

After leading VfL Bochum to the Bundesliga, Reis faced a challenging 2022–23 season. The team endured their worst start in Bundesliga history, losing their first six matches and struggling at both ends of the pitch. Despite his efforts to turn things around, results did not improve, and Bochum remained at the bottom of the table. In September 2022, the club decided to part ways with Reis, ending a tenure that had seen both great success and significant challenges.[7]

In October 2022, Reis was appointed as manager of Bundesliga strugglers Schalke 04.[8] After four defeats in the first seven games of the 2023–24 2. Bundesliga season, he was sacked on 27 September 2023.[9]

Samsunspor

[edit]

On 12 June 2024, Reis has been the head coach of Süper Lig club Samsunspor, succeeding Markus Gisdol.[10] In his first season with Samsunspor, Reis achieved significant success, guiding the team to a strong performance in the first half of the league. Samsunspor finished the first half of the 2024–25 Süper Lig season in 3rd place, demonstrating solid form and positioning themselves as one of the top teams in the league. Despite facing a transfer ban during the 2024–25 season, the team remarkably finished third in the Süper Lig, securing qualification for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in the club’s history. As a result, Samsunspor will compete in the Europa League play-off round in the 2025–26 season.[11][12]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueDFB-PokalEuropeTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Eintracht Frankfurt1992–93Bundesliga30000030
1993–94910010101
1994–9541000041
Total1620010172
VfL Bochum1995–962. Bundesliga31110321
1996–97Bundesliga34230372
1997–982312051312
1998–9925522277
1999–002. Bundesliga18041221
2000–01Bundesliga12300123
2001–022. Bundesliga15310163
2002–03Bundesliga18120201
Total176161535119720
VfL Bochum II2002–03Oberliga Westfalen1111
FC Augsburg2003–04Regionalliga Süd273273
Eintracht Trier2004–052. Bundesliga231273
Waldhof Mannheim2005–06Oberliga BW4141
Career total247241536126928

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of 24 December 2025
Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamNatFromToRecordRef
GWDLGFGAGDWin %
VfL Bochum IIGermany27 January 20146 January 201535612174051−11017.14[13]
VfL BochumGermany6 September 201912 September 2022112482341170163+7042.86[14]
Schalke 04Germany27 October 202227 September 20233198143961−22029.03[15]
SamsunsporTurkey12 June 2024present642917189274+18045.31
Total243936090341349−8038.27

Honours

[edit]

Managerial honours

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Thomas Reis" (in German). fussballdaten.de. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Reis, Thomas" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  3. ^ "Bochums U19-Trainer Thomas Reis wechselt nach Wolfsburg". derwesten.de (in German). 1 May 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Thomas Reis wird neuer VfL-Cheftrainer". vfl-bochum.de. 6 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Schalke 04 to take on relegation battle with Thomas Reis as head coach". Schalke 04. 27 October 2022.
  6. ^ "VfL Bochum: Welcome back to the Bundesliga!". bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Bochum dismiss head coach Thomas Reis". bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Thomas Reis named new Schalke head coach". bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Schalke 04 relieve head coach Thomas Reis of his duties with immediate effect". schalke04.com. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Yılport Samsunspor'un Yeni Teknik Direktörü Açıklandı". beIN Sports Türkiye. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  11. ^ "Reeder Samsunspor UEFA Avrupa Ligi'ne play-off turundan katılma hakkı elde etti". Anadolu Ajansı (aa.com.tr). Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Samsunspor announces UEFA Europa League qualification (Instagram post)". Instagram. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
  13. ^ "VfL Bochum II: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  14. ^ "VfL Bochum – Trainer". Kicker (in German). Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  15. ^ "FC Schalke 04 – Trainer". Kicker (in German). Retrieved 27 October 2022.
[edit]

    Thomas Reis
    Reis with Samsunspor in 2025
    Personal information
    Full nameThomas Reis
    Date of birth (1973-10-04) 4 October 1973 (age 52)
    Place of birthWetheim, West Germany
    Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
    Position(s)
    Team information
    Current team
    Samsunspor (head coach)
    Youth career
    –1989FC Wertheim-Eichel
    1989–1990VfB Stuttgart
    1990–1992Eintracht Frankfurt
    Senior career*
    YearsTeamApps(Gls)
    1992–1995Eintracht Frankfurt16(2)
    1995–2003VfL Bochum176(16)
    2002–2003VfL Bochum II1(1)
    2003–2004FC Augsburg27(3)
    2004–2005Eintracht Trier23(1)
    2005–2006Waldhof Mannheim4(1)
    Total247(24)
    International career
    1993–1995Germany U-217(0)
    Managerial career
    2011VfL Bochum (women)
    2014–2015VfL Bochum II
    2019–2022VfL Bochum
    2022–2023Schalke 04
    2024–Samsunspor
    * Club domestic league appearances and goals

    Thomas Reis (German pronunciation: [ˈtoːmas ˈʁaɪs], born 4 October 1973) is a German football manager and former professional player who's the current head coach of Süper Lig club Samsunspor.

    As a player, he began his career at Wertheim-Eichel and later played for clubs like VfB Stuttgart, Eintracht Frankfurt, and VfL Bochum, primarily in defensive and midfield roles. His career highlights include helping Bochum achieve Bundesliga promotion and playing for Germany U-21. After retiring, he transitioned to coaching, starting with Bochum’s youth department and eventually managing the senior team. Reis gained prominence for his tactical acumen, notably leading Bochum to Bundesliga promotion in 2021. Later stints included managing Schalke 04 and, as of 2024, heading Turkish club Samsunspor.[1][2][3][4][5]

    Club career

    Reis began his football career as a youth player with his hometown club FC Wertheim-Eichel, later joining VfB Stuttgart, where he reached the final of the B-Youth Championship in the 1989–90 season. He even scored Stuttgart’s only goal in a 1–2 loss against 1. FC Köln. He then progressed to Eintracht Frankfurt, where his professional journey took off.

    In the 1992–93 season, Reis joined the professional squad of Eintracht Frankfurt and made his Bundesliga debut on 4 October 1992, in a 4–0 victory against his former club, VfB Stuttgart. Substituted in the 83rd minute for Axel Kruse, Reis showcased his potential. During this time, from 1993 to 1995, he also played for the German U-21 national team. However, he struggled to secure a starting position in Frankfurt, managing only 16 Bundesliga appearances over three years.

    In 1995, Reis moved to VfL Bochum in the 2. Bundesliga. His first season was a massive success, with VfL Bochum earning promotion to the Bundesliga, thanks in part to Reis’s 31 appearances. The following year saw VfL Bochum achieve an impressive 5th place in the Bundesliga, with Reis playing every single match of the season.

    Although Bochum initially enjoyed top-tier success, they faced relegation in 1999 and 2001, with Reis still a vital part of the team. However, they also managed to bounce back, celebrating promotion in 2000 and 2002. After yet another Bundesliga season in 2002–03, Reis left Bochum, marking the end of an era.

    Reis joined FC Augsburg in the Regionalliga Süd for the 2003–04 season, narrowly missing promotion with a 4th place finish after 27 appearances and 3 goals. Seeking new challenges, he moved to Eintracht Trier in the 2. Bundesliga, but his fortunes declined as Eintracht Trier was relegated due to a goal difference just one goal worse than Energie Cottbus on the 14th spot. This marked a heartbreaking end to his time in Trier.

    In the 2005–06 season, Reis signed with SV Waldhof Mannheim in the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg. However, his impact was limited, with just four appearances and one goal, signaling the twilight of his playing career.

    From youth championships with VfB Stuttgart to Bundesliga highs with Bochum and dramatic battles at FC Augsburg and Eintracht Trier, Thomas Reis’s career exemplifies resilience and passion for football. Despite the ups and downs, his contributions to Bochum’s success and his journey across German football remain memorable.

    Managerial career

    Early career

    Reis began his managerial career at VfL Bochum in 2009, working in the club’s youth department. He initially served as a scout before taking on roles as a coach and assistant to the head of the youth program. In February 2012, he transitioned to the first team as an assistant coach under Karsten Neitzel, a position he held until 9 April 2013.

    Following his time with the first team, Reis took charge of the U-19 team and, in January 2014, became the head coach of the U-23 squad. By January 2015, he returned to the senior team as an assistant coach. On March 30, 2015, he earned the prestigious DFB Football Coaching License, solidifying his qualifications as a top-level coach.

    On 6 September 2019, After previously serving as the women’s team and as the academy’s head coach, Reis was appointed manager of VfL Bochum marking the beginning of his tenure in senior management. Under his leadership, the team displayed resilience and a clear tactical structure, which eventually led to their promotion to the Bundesliga in the 2020–21 season after an 11 year absence from Germany’s top flight. His managerial style emphasized disciplined defensive organization combined with quick transitions, earning him recognition as a tactically astute coach.[6]

    Reis continued to guide VfL Bochum through their return to the Bundesliga, ensuring competitive performances against established top-tier teams. His ability to motivate players and adapt strategies during challenging periods became a defining aspect of his managerial career.

    After leading VfL Bochum to the Bundesliga, Reis faced a challenging 2022–23 season. The team endured their worst start in Bundesliga history, losing their first six matches and struggling at both ends of the pitch. Despite his efforts to turn things around, results did not improve, and Bochum remained at the bottom of the table. In September 2022, the club decided to part ways with Reis, ending a tenure that had seen both great success and significant challenges.[7]

    In October 2022, Reis was appointed as manager of Bundesliga strugglers Schalke 04.[8] After four defeats in the first seven games of the 2023–24 2. Bundesliga season, he was sacked on 27 September 2023.[9]

    Samsunspor

    On 12 June 2024, Reis has been the head coach of Süper Lig club Samsunspor, succeeding Markus Gisdol.[10] In his first season with Samsunspor, Reis achieved significant success, guiding the team to a strong performance in the first half of the league. Samsunspor finished the first half of the 2024–25 Süper Lig season in 3rd place, demonstrating solid form and positioning themselves as one of the top teams in the league. Despite facing a transfer ban during the 2024–25 season, the team remarkably finished third in the Süper Lig, securing qualification for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in the club’s history. As a result, Samsunspor will compete in the Europa League play-off round in the 2025–26 season.[11][12]

    Career statistics

    Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
    ClubSeasonLeagueDFB-PokalEuropeTotal
    DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
    Eintracht Frankfurt1992–93Bundesliga30000030
    1993–94910010101
    1994–9541000041
    Total1620010172
    VfL Bochum1995–962. Bundesliga31110321
    1996–97Bundesliga34230372
    1997–982312051312
    1998–9925522277
    1999–002. Bundesliga18041221
    2000–01Bundesliga12300123
    2001–022. Bundesliga15310163
    2002–03Bundesliga18120201
    Total176161535119720
    VfL Bochum II2002–03Oberliga Westfalen1111
    FC Augsburg2003–04Regionalliga Süd273273
    Eintracht Trier2004–052. Bundesliga231273
    Waldhof Mannheim2005–06Oberliga BW4141
    Career total247241536126928

    Managerial statistics

    As of 24 December 2025
    Managerial record by team and tenure
    TeamNatFromToRecordRef
    GWDLGFGAGDWin %
    VfL Bochum IIGermany27 January 20146 January 201535612174051−11017.14[13]
    VfL BochumGermany6 September 201912 September 2022112482341170163+7042.86[14]
    Schalke 04Germany27 October 202227 September 20233198143961−22029.03[15]
    SamsunsporTurkey12 June 2024present642917189274+18045.31
    Total243936090341349−8038.27

    Honours

    Managerial honours

    References

    1. ^ "Thomas Reis" (in German). fussballdaten.de. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
    2. ^ "Reis, Thomas" (in German). kicker. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
    3. ^ "Bochums U19-Trainer Thomas Reis wechselt nach Wolfsburg". derwesten.de (in German). 1 May 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
    4. ^ "Thomas Reis wird neuer VfL-Cheftrainer". vfl-bochum.de. 6 September 2019.
    5. ^ "Schalke 04 to take on relegation battle with Thomas Reis as head coach". Schalke 04. 27 October 2022.
    6. ^ "VfL Bochum: Welcome back to the Bundesliga!". bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
    7. ^ "Bochum dismiss head coach Thomas Reis". bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
    8. ^ "Thomas Reis named new Schalke head coach". bundesliga.com – the official Bundesliga website. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
    9. ^ "Schalke 04 relieve head coach Thomas Reis of his duties with immediate effect". schalke04.com. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
    10. ^ "Yılport Samsunspor'un Yeni Teknik Direktörü Açıklandı". beIN Sports Türkiye. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
    11. ^ "Reeder Samsunspor UEFA Avrupa Ligi'ne play-off turundan katılma hakkı elde etti". Anadolu Ajansı (aa.com.tr). Retrieved 13 June 2025.
    12. ^ "Samsunspor announces UEFA Europa League qualification (Instagram post)". Instagram. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
    13. ^ "VfL Bochum II: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
    14. ^ "VfL Bochum – Trainer". Kicker (in German). Retrieved 27 October 2022.
    15. ^ "FC Schalke 04 – Trainer". Kicker (in German). Retrieved 27 October 2022.
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