Schalke 04, the fallen giants of German football, are on the rise again. The club, which last played in the Champions League seven years ago and reached the semi-finals in 2011, currently tops the 2. Bundesliga table. Despite enduring their worst-ever season in 2024-25, finishing 14th in the second tier, the club's loyal fanbase has remained steadfast. Former Germany international Benedikt Howedes noted that the stadium was packed for the first game of the season against Hertha Berlin, despite the previous campaign's dismal performance.
Schalke's average attendance of 61,826 is among the highest in Europe, surpassed only by ten other clubs including Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Manchester United. This support is remarkable given that Gelsenkirchen is only the 26th largest city in Germany. The club's identity is deeply rooted in the post-industrial Ruhr region, where football provides a sense of pride and community.
The revival has been spearheaded by manager Miron Muslic, an unexpected appointment from Plymouth Argyle. Muslic, who previously led Plymouth to an FA Cup upset over Liverpool, has transformed the team's mentality with largely the same squad. Howedes praised the increased effort, running, and intensity under Muslic's leadership. The team's defensive solidity has been key, with goalkeeper Loris Karius experiencing a career resurgence after his 2019 Champions League final nightmare.
Schalke have conceded just 10 goals in the league, the best defensive record, while scoring 22. Karius boasts the third-highest save percentage in the division. Howedes, a World Cup winner and product of Schalke's youth academy, highlighted the importance of the club's renowned youth system, led by long-serving under-19 coach Norbert Elgert, who has developed talents like Mesut Ozil and Manuel Neuer. Schalke's rise has even earned the hope of local rivals Borussia Dortmund, who miss the famous Ruhr derby.
