Schalke’s return to the Bundesliga triggered a big party in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, with tens of thousands of fans continuing the celebrations in the city centre after leaving the stadium.
Traffic came to a standstill and trams stopped running. But the mood was exuberant and did not get out of hand, German police said. Fans were also joyous at the announcement that promotion-winning coach Miron Muslić had extended his contract until 2028.
“My heart swells. We know how heavy the burden was,” Muslić told a press conference, where his players gave him the obligatory beer shower while chanting “Never again in the second division.”
Defender Timo Becker said: “This man has managed to give Schalke an identity again. Let him be celebrated.”
The players celebrated the 1-0 home win over Fortuna Dusseldorf in style.
They strolled into the VIP area in the stadium wearing sunglasses, promotion shirts and flip-flops.
“I’ve already held back a few tears, it’s a dream of a lifetime,” midfielder Ron Schallenberg said.
Captain Kenan Karaman, who scored the promotion-clinching goal, said in a tearful voice: “Schalke belong in the first division and we’re staying there now.”
A Bundesliga heavyweight for many years, the heavily indebted club had fought relegation to the third division over the previous two seasons.
