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Deep Crisis: FC Schalke 04 Struggling to Stay in 2. Bundesliga

By Arthur Fernandes

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 08: Yusuf Kabadayi of FC Schalke 04 runs with the ball during the Second Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC at Veltins Arena on October 08, 2023 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 08: Yusuf Kabadayi of FC Schalke 04 runs with the ball during the Second Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC at Veltins Arena on October 08, 2023 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) /
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FC Schalke 04, one of Germany’s most iconic soccer clubs, is facing a crisis of alarming proportions in the current 2. Bundesliga season. After nine rounds of play, the club finds itself in a concerning position, occupying 16th place on the table and on the brink of relegation to the 3rd division.

The statistics tell a grim story: six losses in nine games and a total of 20 goals conceded. For a team that has been in the elite of German soccer and whose squad belongs to the upper third of the second division in terms of costs, this situation is unacceptable. Schalke 04, with its more than 180,000 members, deserves much more than the mediocrity it has displayed so far.

The club’s sporting director, Peter Knäbel, made bold promises before the season’s start, stating that the team was well-prepared to aim for promotion back to the Bundesliga. However, the reality is that the club is closer to relegation than to promotion, with only one point separating them from the dreaded drop zone.

GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 08: Derry-John Murkin of FC Schalke 04 runs with the ball during the Second Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC at Veltins Arena on October 08, 2023 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – OCTOBER 08: Derry-John Murkin of FC Schalke 04 runs with the ball during the Second Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC at Veltins Arena on October 08, 2023 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images) /

The voice of experience, represented by Peter Neururer, who had rescued Schalke 04 from similar situations in the past, resonates clearly. Neururer places the blame not on the players or the coach but rather on the club’s leadership. He argues that changes need to happen not only within the team but also in management and decision-making.

The frustration of Schalke’s fans is palpable. A club with a rich history and such passionate supporters does not deserve to be on the brink of the abyss. The question now is whether the club’s administration will heed the calls for change and take drastic steps to reverse the situation.

FC Schalke 04 urgently needs to reposition itself and reassess its strategy. Fans expect more than just avoiding relegation. They yearn for a return to Bundesliga glory and for a team that lives up to the name and tradition of the club. The current crisis is a reminder that success in soccer is not guaranteed, and true greatness is demonstrated in the ability to overcome adversity. Schalke 04 now faces a monumental challenge, and only time will tell if they can emerge from this crisis and reclaim their prominent position in German soccer.

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