FC Schalke 04, a club once considered among Germany's footballing elite, is stirring back to life. After languishing in the second division and suffering their lowest-ever league finish, the Royal Blues now sit proudly at the summit of the 2. Bundesliga, dreaming of a top-flight return.
A Giant Awakens: Loyalty Amidst the Fall
The scale of Schalke's support has never wavered, even in the darkest hours. With an average attendance of 61,826 this season, they outdraw all but ten clubs across the entire European continent. This remarkable loyalty was evident from the very first match of the campaign, a home fixture against Hertha Berlin. Club legend Benedikt Höwedes marvelled at a stadium packed to the rafters despite the team's historically poor previous season. "The crowd was just incredible," he recalled, highlighting a bond that transcends results.
That poor season saw Schalke finish a dismal 14th in the 2. Bundesliga in 2024-25, their lowest position since the league's creation. For a club with seven German championships and a UEFA Cup win in its illustrious history, it was a profound nadir. Yet, in the post-industrial heart of Gelsenkirchen, Germany's 26th largest city, the football club remains the central pillar of identity, its revival a beacon for the entire Ruhr region.
The Architects of Revival: Muslic and Karius
The catalyst for this dramatic turnaround has been an unlikely appointment. Manager Miron Muslic arrived from Plymouth Argyle, where he made headlines by knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup. His impact on a largely unchanged squad has been transformative. Höwedes notes the stark difference: "He totally changed the mentality of the team... how big is the effort they put in the game, how much they run, how much did they fight."
Equally pivotal has been the resurgence of goalkeeper Loris Karius. While Schalke's attack has been modest, their defence has been formidable, conceding a mere 10 goals in 17 league games. Karius boasts the third-highest save percentage in the division, providing a solid foundation for their ascent. The style may not be flamboyant, but the commitment and organisation instilled by Muslic have proven brutally effective.
Dreaming of Derbies and a Bundesliga Future
The ultimate goal is clear: a return to the Bundesliga and the revival of the fierce Revierderby against Borussia Dortmund. Höwedes believes even their rivals miss the fixture. Schalke's path back is also built on their famed youth academy, a production line for stars like Manuel Neuer, Mesut Özil, and Leroy Sané under long-serving coach Norbert Elgert. This homegrown philosophy stands in contrast to rivals who often import young talent.
As the 2. Bundesliga resumes this weekend with a crunch match at Berlin's Olympiastadion, Schalke travel as league leaders. With 12 wins and just one draw from their 17 games, they hold a three-point cushion at the top. The fallen giant is not just rising; it is striding purposefully towards redemption, fuelled by unwavering support and a renewed sense of belief.
