‘Humble but ambitious’ – the return of fallen giants Schalke
Schalke, one of German football's most storied clubs, have returned to the Bundesliga after a turbulent six years marked by two promotions and two relegations, including a near-brush with insolvency caused by heavy debts, missed European qualification and the impact of Covid-19. Despite the financial turmoil, the Gelsenkirchen club's fanbase has remained fiercely loyal throughout, with the 62,000-capacity Veltins-Arena filled for home games and thousands travelling to away fixtures even in defeat, reflecting what one academic described as an almost "religious" devotion to the club.
After bouncing back to the top flight in 2022 only to be relegated again a year later, Schalke endured two difficult seasons in the second tier before appointing manager Miron Muslic, previously of Plymouth Argyle, and former Werder Bremen football director Frank Baumann. The pair are credited with rebuilding the club on a much reduced budget, culminating in promotion back to the Bundesliga last season; notable signings during the rebuild included former striker Edin Dzeko, who scored eight goals in his first 13 games after joining in January 2025.
In short
- Schalke return to the Bundesliga after years of relegations and financial crisis
- Fans stayed hugely loyal despite a 3-0 defeat in their comeback match
- Manager Miron Muslic and director Frank Baumann rebuilt the club cheaply
Explained simply
Schalke are a football club from Gelsenkirchen in Germany’s Ruhr region, an area with a strong industrial and working-class identity. They have a long history in the country’s top division, the Bundesliga, and a large, loyal following.
The club’s recent years have included repeated moves between the Bundesliga and the second tier, alongside serious financial problems. That history helps explain why Schalke’s recovery matters to supporters and to a club seeking to rebuild its place in German football.
Schalke’s fortunes depend on more than results on the pitch: the club must also manage its finances and make the most of a smaller budget. Its return brings the challenge of competing in the Bundesliga while maintaining that recovery.