Thomas Bertels

In January 2019, Bertels retired as a professional player. In July 2018, Bertels became co-coach of SC Paderborn's U19s while still playing for the club's reserve team. In 2019, he became coach of Paderborn U16s while playing for lower-league team TuS Ehringhausen. On 24 February 2022, Bertels took over Paderborn's reserve team in the Oberliga Westfalen, succeeding Michél Kniat, who moved to third-division club SC Verl. During this time, he played for lower-league side VfB Schloß Holte. After promotion to the Regionalliga West, he left Paderborn a year before the end of his contract to take over Schalke 04's U17s.