Schalke head coach Miron Muslić on fan backing, work ethic and more

Schalke resumed their quest for Bundesliga 2 promotion with a 0-0 draw against Hertha Berlin on Matchday 18, maintaining their four-point gap ahead of closest challengers Elversberg. Under the stewardship of Miron Muslić, the Royal Blues continue their upward trajectory as they look to return to Germany’s top flight following their relegation in 2023.

Carving a winning mentality, Muslić - appointed in May 2025 - has bolstered the relationship between club and fans, who fuel the Gelsenkirchen side with passionate support from a local area that’s proud of its coal-mining roots and traditions.

"I think I'm representing it [Schalke] in a way that they exactly want to see with this hard-working ethos that fits perfectly not only to the people here, but also to our club," he told the Bundesliga.

"We have this mentality of keeping our feet on the ground, but always with the desire to achieve more, and with the inspiration to develop consistently. That is why I think we have a connection and that is why we respect each other and we like each other."

Watch: Inside the home of Schalke

Despite recent struggles - including relegation from the Bundesliga in 2021 and 2023 - Schalke remain one of the country’s best supported clubs with over 200,000 members, surpassed only by Bayern Munich and fierce rivals Borussia Dortmund. That was evident when the seven-time German champions took 20,000 fans to Berlin's Olympiastadion last weekend, creating a boisterous atmosphere.

"You realise how big this club is and what kind of football club and giant that Schalke is when you see that we are going to an away game in Berlin with more than 20,000 supporters," added Muslić.

"It shows also how close we are with our fans and it proves that the fans are respecting our performances from the last six or seven months, so it is up to us to continue to perform."

Bringing a renewed sense of optimism to the club in his short tenure to date, Muslić has also changed the club’s mindset, essential if Schalke are to secure a Bundesliga return.

"We never focus on the things that go wrong or the negative things. We always focus on the potential that we have inside our team and the huge potential that we have inside our club," the 43-year-old explained.

"We are focused on the things that we can improve and on our daily work that we can improve outside on the pitch. That is our strength."

Watch: Giants Schalke awaking from slumber

Guiding Schalke to a Bundesliga return in his first season in charge would certainly be a monumental achievement for Muslić, whose leadership and resilience, alongside his expertise and communication skills, were key factors in club bosses appointing the Bosnian-Austrian tactician. The Schalke hierarchy have been duly rewarded.

Returning 12 wins, two draws and four defeats after 18 games, the Ruhr club have kept an astonishing 10 clean sheets - conceding just 10 goals, the best of any team. But ahead of upcoming fixtures against Kaiserslautern, Bochum and Hannover, Muslić is wary of the threats that could derail his side's promotion aspirations.

"'Respect' is a big word and it’s the most important word," explained the former Cercle Brugge and Plymouth Argyle boss. "We respect ourselves and we respect every single opponent. That is why we are able to compete and that is why we are able to collect points."

Watch: Schalke keep another clean sheet in Berlin

With Muslić at the wheel, Schalke have dropped points on just six occasions this season. Their home form has been particularly impressive - five straight victories and seven in their eight games at the Veltins-Arena - and is testament to the belief the man at the helm has instilled in his players. Not that he is getting carried away.

"We focus on the games and the challenges that are in front of us. We focus from week to week and game to game, which is the mindset that we have had for the last seven months," Muslić said.

"The consequence was that we could collect and earn 37 points and we will stick to the same mindset and approach for the next five months, so that we can collect a lot of points again."

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