As reported by Sky Germany, relegation for Scahlke this campaign would see the club fall out of Germany’s professional leagues.
Last season, the appointment of Thomas Reis saw Schalke’s fortunes drastically turn around. From a position in which they appeared certain candidates for relegation to the 2. Bundesliga in January after a demoralising 6-1 home defeat to RB Leipzig, victory at Mainz on matchday 31 saw Die Königsblauen rise to the safety of 15th.
However, a gruelling last three games saw the club return to Germany’s second tier, but as opposed to two seasons prior, this relegation gave the Schalke faithful a sense of confidence for the upcoming campaign. A positive turn-around under Reis offered the club hope that a swift return to the Bundesliga would follow.
Regardless, it has been yet another dismal six months for the Royal Blues. A 3-1 defeat away to St. Pauli on matchday seven saw Reis lose his job with Die Königsblauen lying in 16th, and since, under the stewardship of Karel Geraerts, Schalke have only moved up one position, level on points with Eintracht Braunschweig in the final automatic relegation spot.
Therefore, the club are facing relegation directly in the face, and according to the report, the club as it currently exists would be no more. Schalke do not have the financial capabilities to obtain a 3. Liga licence, meaning that direct relegation to the Regionalliga West would be probable.
For Geraerts, the next six months are vital. The second-most supported club in Germany have less than half a season left to save themselves, and the responsibility lies on his shoulders.
The players at the club will have a future beyond this season, but the fans will not be departing, and it will be them who suffer. If Schalke go down, it will undoubtedly be one of the darkest days in German football history.
GGFN | Will Shopland
