How have Schalke turned around their fortunes?

Schalke are one of Germany’s most decorated clubs. Steeped in history and tradition, the Bundesliga co-founders have won seven German titles, five DFB Cups and a UEFA Cup.

Yet despite their recent struggles - with relegations in 2021 and 2023 - they remain one of the country’s best supported clubs with over 200,000 members, surpassed only by Bayern Munich and fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund. Since their relegation on the final day of the 2022/23 season, Die Knappen have only managed 10th- and 14th-placed finishes in Bundesliga 2, begging the question: when will Schalke play in the Bundesliga again?

Watch: Giants Schalke awaking from slumber

After Karel Geraerts and Kees van Wonderen both came and went, Schalke appointed Muslić in May this year. The Austrian-Bosnian tactician is regarded as one of Europe’s best coaching talents, having impressed at Ried and Cercle Brugge before moving to Plymouth Argyle, where he masterminded a historic 1-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool but was unable to stave off relegation from England’s second tier.

“Miron impressed us with both his expertise and his communication skills,” said Schalke board member for sport Frank Baumann. “He knows how to inspire a group, and his style of coaching is clearly recognisable both on and off the pitch.

“His leadership and resilience were key aspects of our discussions. With his strengths, he can help the team as a whole as well as support the individual development of our players. We’re confident that, with our backing, he’ll be successful as head coach of Schalke.”

Known for his high pressing and direct football, the 43-year-old is well suited to Schalke’s philosophy as well as being able to identify with the city of Gelsenkirchen. And, having been in the top two since the start of October, supporters have every right to think a return to the elite is a possibility.

Schalke began the season in emphatic fashion with a 2-1 win against Hertha Berlin. Muslić’s expansive football left quite an impression at a sold-out Veltins-Arena on Matchday 1, but he has since had to adapt his style into a more pragmatic one, showcasing his ability to adjust his approach depending on the task at hand.

After losing 1-0 at Kaiserslautern on Matchday 2, the Royal Blues responded well with successive wins against Bochum and Dynamo Dresden, leaving them with nine points from their first four games. 

Watch: Schalke survive Bielefeld test

Their resolve was tested once again after a 1-0 loss to Holstein Kiel, but while previous squads may have struggled to bounce back from defeat, Muslić’s charges continue to show resilience and character. They roared back to form with a maximum nine points from games against Magdeburg, Greuther Fürth and Arminia Bielefeld, scoring five goals and conceding only one.

After another victory over Hannover, Schalke claimed top spot in the division following a narrow 1-0 win over Darmstadt coupled with Elversberg's 2-0 loss at Arminia Bielefeld.

Although then beaten late at Karlsruhe, Die Knappen bounced back again by edging top-three rivals Elversberg 1-0 - another tight result.

It took them to 27 points from 12 games - more than their combined total at this stage from the previous two seasons (25). Since the introduction of three points for a win in 1995, only 17 teams before this campaign have had 27 points or more after 12 games in Bundesliga 2, of which 14 went on to be promoted.

Watch: Schalke move clear of Elversberg

Only Eintracht Braunschweig (64) and relegated Jahn Regensburg (71) conceded more goals than Schalke (62) last season, but Muslić has been working his defensive magic. His side have recorded six clean sheets in 2025/26 - already two more than the whole of last season - while no team has conceded fewer than the Ruhr club’s seven goals this campaign.

So few goals conceded after 12 games equals the club record in the top two divisions, set by Ralf Rangnick's team of 2005/06 in the Bundesliga. It is also the best by a team in Bundesliga 2 since Ingolstadt shipped only six in 2014/15 - the year they were promoted.

The 2-1 loss to Karlsruhe remains the only game where they conceded more than once. The 106 shots they have faced is the lowest total in the division, while Loris Karius boasts the best save rate in the league at 64 percent.

Muslić has also transformed Schalke into a more physical outfit, with only Kaiserslautern winning more aerial duels than his charges (279) this season prior to Matchday 13.

They may be bottom of the division for possession (43 percent) but rank second for sprints (170 per game), third for fouls (166 in total) and fifth for challenges contested (213 per game).

The arrivals of Nikola Katić, Hasan Kuruçay and Timo Becker have bolstered the club’s back line, and with the experience of Karius, Adrian Gantenbein and Ron Schallenberg, the Royal Blues find themselves in a very healthy position indeed.

Schalke may not be scoring many - only six teams have fewer than their 16 goals - but they are making the most of what comes their way.

Half their games have ended 1-0 (four wins, two losses), with three more wins of 2-1. Just two victories have been by two goals or more.

Six goals have come in the opening 15 minutes, with Die Knappen going on to win all five such games - four of them without conceding.

It's all reminscent of the good old days under Huub Stevens, who once said: "We need to keep it to nil."

After two years of turmoil, Schalke are making all the right decisions off the pitch, too. Appointing Muslić was a bold and exciting call, and in Baumann they have an experienced head who is capable of making the right moves at boardroom level.

With no Hamburg or Cologne to contend with in Bundesliga 2 this season, Schalke are well placed to return to Germany’s top flight. Productive with the ball and strong defensively, this new-look squad certainly boasts all the right attributes.

To achieve promotion, it is imperative that Schalke remain strong at home. It’s still early days, but if they can build on their performances so far, Muslić could well be the man to guide the seven-time German champions back to the big time.