Overview
- Schalke were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal in a 0–4 defeat at Darmstadt, a rout that exposed limited depth as multiple attackers were unavailable.
- Despite the cup exit, Muslic’s side sits atop the 2. Bundesliga after eight wins in ten matches and a league-best defense with only five goals conceded.
- Club leaders last year built a new sporting blueprint with analysts and in-house AI experts, which Muslic adopted with simplified, role-specific video work and cultural buy-in initiatives.
- Schalke paid a reported €700,000 to hire Muslic in summer, and the club has now quietly settled former coach Kees van Wonderen’s deal for about €200,000.
- Emergent midfielder Soufiane El-Faouzi was signed for roughly €200,000 and is reported to have no release clause, raising the prospect of a lucrative sale as winter reinforcements are discussed.