Schalke's players have backed under-fire coach Ralf Rangnick.
Schalke's players have backed under-fire coach Ralf Rangnick after the The Royal Blues' poor start to the season.
Schalke were expected to challenge for the Bundesliga title, however Sunday's goalless draw with Hertha Berlin left the club with just two wins from their opening five games.
The pressure on Rangnick had grown following Schalke's defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League last week, however captain Ebbe Sand has reaffirmed his support for the coach.
"I have been through many things here at Schalke but I simply can't understand why the coach is under pressure," said Sand.
Kevin Kuranyi, a summer signing from Stuttgart, believes that pressure from outside the club is undermining the efforts of Rangnick.
"The trouble from outside of the club is beginning to get on our nerves," said the German international.
"We are doing a good job here and it's a real pity that we are facing this discussion.
"It's the players who are not scoring goals and we should be blamed not the coach."
Schalke will hope to alleviate the early season anxiety with a win over Nurnberg on Wednesday.
