Football Season Guide

Troubles on and off the field continued for Schalke last season, as they flirted with relegation for long periods. If it wasn’t for the impressive forward partnership of Karaman and Sylla, The Royal Blues may well have ended up in the third-tier of German football. Miron Muslic will start the 2025/26 campaign in charge after Geraerts and van Wonderen failed to go the distance last season, in fact no Schalke coach has managed to complete a whole season since David Wagner in 2019/20, so Muslic certainly has his work cut out. The Austrian-Bosnian coach made a good impression during his short stint at Plymouth and has a way with words and motivational speeches. He should also bring some grit to the side and hopefully some defensive stability that was severely lacking last term. This has already been evident with four clean-sheets in six friendly matches. Due to Schalke’s financial problems, funds for new players have so far been lacking. Just three players have been signed with kick-off looming and that is a concern. Defender Katic should slot in well to the defence, having followed Muslic from Plymouth while Becker has rejoined the club from Holstein Kiel. The other newcomer is midfielder El Faouzi from the third-tier, but more will be needed in that area after Seguin left, and Schallenberg appears to be surplus to requirements. Schalke are also lacking on the left side after Mohr and Murkin moved on. There is some good news with forwards Sylla and Karaman both still at the club, but with the latter possibly injured for the start of the campaign, reinforcements may be needed there.