Schalke are back where they belong, in the big time of the Bundesliga.
The traditional German giants secured their trip back to the top flight after a three-season absence with a 1-0 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf.
The result sees them clinch promotion with two games to spare during a season of sheer joy in Gelsenkirchen.
From no football to the Bundesliga
In their three seasons out of the Bundesliga, the seven-time German champions even went close to relegation to the third tier, a league they may not have even been allowed to play in due to strict licencing rules.
All of that happened with expectations forever through the roof due to the club’s size with over 200,000 members, the fourth highest number in all of Europe.
Yet this term, things finally settled, after crippling hype seemed to condemn the German giants, expectations finally settled for a rebuild in the Bundesliga 2.
Muslic Schalke’s hero
However, little did they know, but the club had pulled a blinder in the signing of head coach Miron Muslic.
Enemy No.1 in South West English, the Austrian-Bosnian caused plenty of anger for leaving Plymouth having said he’d stay after their relegation to League One.
Yet the lure of Schalke was far, far too much, even if the feeling was similarly cold in Germany.
Former manager Peter Neururer said: “It no longer makes sense to talk about sporting matters at Schalke 04.”
Legendary coach Huub Stevens has since added: “I was also very surprised – nobody had expected that.
“The new sporting director must have had something in mind. I’m convinced he has a plan. He must know Muslic and how he works—otherwise he wouldn’t choose him.
“I understand the fans’ anger. But ultimately, the management make the decision. An unknown doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad idea.”
Making that decision was Frank Baumann, the former long-term sporting director of Werder Bremen, who was the architect of the restoration of what can quite easily be argued as the biggest fallen giant in European football.
On the day, though, it was two other men that got the promotion over the line, and proved just what Schalke means.
Karius key in Schalke promotion
First was goalscorer and captain Kenan Karaman, an attacking midfielder far too good for the second division, but one that quite simply couldn’t resist sticking around with one of Europe’s biggest sides.
His 15th minute winner was yet another demonstration of his class, and why this promotion won’t be flash in the pan.
At the other end, it was Loris Karius, a goalkeeper who perhaps defines the term ‘confidence player’ more than any other.
Destroyed from his Liverpool days where he was left to walk alone, at Schalke his step down to the second tier saw him become a legend from day one.
And it wasn’t long before reputation was matched by performance.
Having overcome early injury struggles, Karius became Schalke’s most dependable player, and started playing without doubt the best football of his career.
As close as you can get to a guarantee in one-vs-one situations in the second tier, Karius began reminding fans of their greatest-ever product, Manuel Neuer, and it was no different with a smart stop late on to deny a Dusseldorf equaliser that would’ve put a halt on celebrations, at least for one day.
Like Karaman, he summed up why this club means so much to so many.
“If it wasn’t for Schalke, I probably would have even ended my career,” the 34-year-old said.
“This club has brought me joy from the very beginning and given me a lot. I feel completely at home here.”
Well he and his team brought the joy back, and not only that, but the days of crisis look over, with no fear going back into the Bundesliga where they belong.
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