Published: 05:22, 22 Oct 2023
It's a crisis in Gelsenkirchen because after the 3-0 loss to Karlsruher SC, Schalke 04 is in sixteenth place in the 2. Bundesliga. This position at the end of the season would mean a playoff for promotion/relegation.
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Over five years ago, Schalke 04 finished second in the Bundesliga, behind the reigning champions Bayern Munich. However, in 2023, the landscape at the Veltins-Arena looks entirely different. The club was relegated in 2021, promoted the following season, but had to drop a level again last year.
In the new season, Schalke 04 aimed to compete for top positions, but the reality is different. The team won only once in the first five games and dismissed coach Thomas Reis. Assistant coach Matthias Kreutzer temporarily took charge, and this week, Belgian Karel Geraerts was appointed.
Under Geraerts' leadership, the desired shock effect didn't materialize on Sunday, and as a result, Schalke 04 dropped to sixteenth place. This current position would mean a decisive playoff against the third-placed team from the 3. Bundesliga at the end of the season.
