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FC Schalke 04

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Article Genealogy
Parent: Ruhr Hop 4
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FC Schalke 04
ClubnameFC Schalke 04
GroundVeltins-Arena
Capacity62,271
ChairmanBernd Schröder
ManagerKarel Geraerts
League2. Bundesliga
Season2023–24
Position2. Bundesliga, 10th

FC Schalke 04. Officially Fußballclub Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e.V., it is a German professional football club based in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 1904, the club is one of the most successful and best-supported in Germany, having won seven German championships and five DFB-Pokal titles. Known for its passionate fanbase, the club has historically been a major force in the Bundesliga, though it has faced significant financial and sporting challenges in recent years.

History

The club was formed by a group of teenagers in the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen in 1904, initially as Westfalia Schalke. Renamed in 1924, the team, known for its innovative Schalker Kreisel (spinning top) passing system, dominated German football in the 1930s and early 1940s, winning six national titles under coaches like Otto Faist and Hans Schmidt. Key players of this era included Ernst Kuzorra and Fritz Szepan. Following World War II, Schalke won another championship in 1958 but then entered a long period without major silverware. The club became a founding member of the Bundesliga in 1963 and experienced a resurgence in the 1990s and early 2000s, winning two DFB-Pokal titles and the UEFA Cup in 1997 under manager Huub Stevens, with stars like Marc Wilmots and Youri Mulder. The 21st century brought further domestic cup success but also severe financial crises, leading to relegations from the Bundesliga in 2021 and 2023.

Stadium

The club plays its home matches at the Veltins-Arena, a modern multipurpose stadium opened in 2001. Located in the Erle district of Gelsenkirchen, it replaced the historic Parkstadion and was originally known as the Arena AufSchalke. The stadium features a retractable roof and a slide-out pitch, and has hosted major events like the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final and matches during the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024. Its atmosphere, particularly in the famed Nordkurve (North Stand), is renowned throughout European football.

Supporters and rivalries

Schalke boasts one of the largest and most loyal supporter groups in Europe, with numerous official fan clubs and a strong presence throughout the Ruhr area. The club's most intense rivalry is with Borussia Dortmund, known as the Revierderby, one of the fiercest derbies in world football due to the proximity and industrial heritage of both cities. Other significant rivalries exist with MSV Duisburg, Fortuna Düsseldorf, and 1. FC Köln. The fan culture is deeply rooted in the working-class identity of the Ruhrgebiet.

Players

The current first-team squad features a mix of experienced campaigners and promising talents. Notable recent players include veteran defender Marcin Kamiński, Japanese international Soichiro Kozuki, and academy product Assan Ouédraogo. Historically, the club has been home to many German internationals such as Manuel Neuer, Mesut Özil, and Leroy Sané, who all began their professional careers at Schalke. Legendary figures from past decades include goalkeepers Norbert Nigbur and Jens Lehmann, and striker Klaus Fischer, famous for his spectacular bicycle kicks.

Honours

FC Schalke 04's honours include seven German championships (1934, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1958) and five DFB-Pokal titles (1937, 1972, 2001, 2002, 2011). The club's greatest European triumph was winning the UEFA Cup in 1997, defeating Inter Milan in the final. They were also runners-up in the 2001 UEFA Cup Final and have won the DFL-Supercup once, in 2011. The club's youth academy has won the UEFA Youth League and several German youth championships.

Club culture

The club is an integral part of the social fabric of the Ruhr region, symbolizing the area's industrial history and communal spirit. Its anthem, "Blau und Weiß, wie lieb' ich Dich" (Blue and White, How I Love You), is passionately sung by supporters. The club's crest, featuring the traditional blue and white colors and the date 1904, is a iconic symbol. Beyond football, the club maintains departments for handball, athletics, and other sports, and is deeply involved in community and social projects throughout Gelsenkirchen.

Category:Association football clubs in Germany Category:Sport in Gelsenkirchen Category:Football clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia