Schalke 2019/20 season preview

bundesliga.com takes a closer look at what to expect from Die Knappen...

Aims in 2019/20

The 2018/29 campaign was largely one to forget for fans of a Schalke persuasion. The Royal Blues had finished second a year earlier, but were languishing just four points above the relegation play-off spot when Domenico Tedesco was dismissed as coach in March 2019.

Huub Stevens was parachuted in for a third stint at the helm, and it was on the Dutchman's watch that Schalke produced their season highlight: a 4-2 Revierderby win at Borussia Dortmund that all but secured their top-flight status whilst dealing a hammer blow to their fierce rivals' title aspirations.

Now it is the turn of former Huddersfield Town boss Wagner to steer the good ship Schalke out of choppy waters and into the sea of calm. The 47-year-old has not coached in the Bundesliga before, but that should not be an obstacle - Tedesco excelled in his first top-flight campaign, and look at what Julian Nagelsmann did for Hoffenheim.

He knows the club, having spent two years in Gelsenkirchen as a player, and his decision to name homegrown goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, 22, as captain will have gone down very well indeed with Schalke's fervent fan base.

A top-half finish would be seen as step in the right direction in the wider context of last season's toils, although there is enough quality in a squad bolstered by summer signings Ozan Kabak, Jonjoe Kenny and Benito Raman to challenge for a European place.

Player to watch

Weston McKennie will be key to Schalke's attempts to re-establish themselves in the upper echelons of the Bundesliga.

The driving force behind the US's run to the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final and still only 20, the Texan made 33 appearances for the Royal Blues last season, scoring his first goals for the club in the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League.

His versatility - he played in defence, midfield and as a second striker under Tedesco - gives Wagner options, but it is in his preferred roles as a No.6 or No.8 where he says his powers "are put to best use".

The fans identify with his never-say-day approach, too, so there is arguably no better player for Schalke's new coach to build his team around.

IN: Pablo Insua (Huesca, end of loan), Ozan Kabak (VfB Stuttgart), Jonjoe Kenny (Everton, loan), Benito Raman (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Fabian Reese (Greuther Fürth, end of loan), Markus Schubert (Dynamo Dresden), Bernard Tekpetey (Paderborn)

OUT: Jeffrey Bruma (Wolfsburg, end of loan), Breel Embolo (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ralf Fährmann (Norwich City, loan), Benjamin Goller (Werder Bremen), Sascha Riether (retired), Sebastian Rudy (Hoffenheim, loan), Bernard Tekpetey (Fortuna Düsseldorf, loan), Cedric Teuchert (Hannover, loan),  George Timotheou (Zulte Waregem), Haji Wright (VVV-Venlo)

How they might line up

Stadium

One of Germany’s most modern stadia and, consequently, one of its most atmospheric, the Veltins-Arena is another must-see venue if you find yourself in the Ruhr region and have an afternoon to spare. With a total capacity of 62,271 and a stadium design that locks in sound to optimise the noise levels, live football at the Veltins-Arena is a unique experience.

Add to that the arena’s retractable pitch (it is often used for music concerts) and roof, and four-screen video cube to ensure every fan has a fantastic view of the pitch itself and the replays, and you have a stadium that is the envy of clubs around the world. The Veltins-Arena played host to five matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2004 Champions League final.

Watch: Step inside Schalke's famous home ground

First five fixtures

Matchday 1: Borussia Mönchengladbach (a) – Saturday, 17 August, 6.30pm CEST
Matchday 2: Bayern Munich (h) – Saturday, 24 August, 6.30pm CEST
Matchday 3: Hertha Berlin (h) – Saturday, 31 August, 3.30pm CEST
Matchday 4: Paderborn (a) – Sunday, 15 September, 6pm CEST
Matchday 5: Mainz (h) – Friday, 20 September, 8.30pm CEST