2. Bundesliga Archive

Kenan Karaman: The whole region is ready for the Bundesliga

Having recorded 14 goals and seven assists in 31 appearances this campaign, Kenan Karaman has played nothing short of a starring role in Schalke 04 securing a return to the German top flight. The Royal Blues’ captain may even have been able to fire himself top of the goal contribution rankings for 2025/26, had he not missed one game through injury and another through suspension.

2. Bundesliga

Dejan Ljubičić: It will be such a special moment

Dejan Ljubičić is no stranger to winning the 2. Bundesliga title. The Austrian previously lifted the trophy with 1. FC Köln last season. After half a season with Dinamo Zagreb, the midfielder joined the Royal Blues at the start of 2026, and has since helped S04 to secure promotion by netting four goals and providing three assists. “I’m happy that I could do my bit to make sure FC Schalke 04 will be back in the Bundesliga next season,” said the January arrival.

2. Bundesliga

Miron Muslic: Nürnberg deserved to win

After the clash between the two clubs, in which 1. FC Nürnberg ran out as 3-0 winners, Miron Muslic and FCN head coach Miroslav Klose spoke about the match at the Max-Morlock-Stadion. Timo Becker and Edin Džeko also looked back at the encounter. We’ve gathered the most important quotes below.

2. Bundesliga

Schalke defeated 3-0 by 1. FC Nürnberg

After winning five games in a row, FC Schalke 04 lost against 1. FC Nürnberg on Saturday (9/5). In front of roughly 20,000 travelling Schalke fans at the sold-out, 50,000-seater Max-Morlock-Stadion, S04 fell to a 3-0 defeat against FCN. It’s the 2. Bundesliga champions’ first defeat since the end of January.

2. Bundesliga

Youri Mulder: We can only do it together – that’s what Huub Stevens always said

With 67 points currently on the board, FC Schalke 04 have already racked up 29 more than they finished last season with – and there are still two matches left to play. For Youri Mulder, securing both the 2. Bundesliga title and an immediate return to the Bundesliga ahead of the final day is just reward for all the hard work and clear focus shown by everybody at the club over recent weeks and months.

2. Bundesliga

Kevin Müller: There’s still plenty to play for

Kevin Müller has had an eventful few days. The goalkeeper celebrated promotion and the 2. Bundesliga title with his teammates in Ibiza, describing the mood as “brilliant”. Now, though, his focus is back on football. The 35-year-old will start in goal for Schalke when the Royal Blues face 1. FC Nürnberg on Saturday (9/5) at 20:30 CEST. Müller insists: “I’m ready.”

2. Bundesliga

Miron Muslic: We’re focused again after celebrating promotion

The newly crowned 2. Bundesliga champions head into a meeting between friends this weekend, with FC Schalke 04 away at 1. FC Nürnberg on Saturday (9/5) in the final away game of their promotion-winning season. Kick-off at the sold-out Max-Morlock-Stadion is at 20:30 CEST. Head coach Miron Muslic is looking forward to the atmosphere. “It’s going to be a great occasion,” he said.

2. Bundesliga

Edin Džeko: These are the moments I came to FC Schalke 04 for

A comeback, a home win, promotion – and less than 24 hours later, the 2. Bundesliga title secured with two games to spare: Edin Džeko could hardly have wished for a better weekend to kick off the month of May. “I’m simply delighted. I’ve experienced a lot in my career. But days like this show once again what you play football for,” said the striker. “The celebrations after the final whistle against Düsseldorf were unreal. These are exactly the moments I came to FC Schalke 04 for.”

2. Bundesliga

Timo Becker: The best day of my career

FC Schalke 04 were able to seal their promotion to the top flight with a 1-0 win at home against Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday (2/5). Timo Becker, who played a key part in the Royal Blues' success this season, later described it as "the best day of my career."

2. Bundesliga

Frank Baumann: Compliments to everyone who has made this happen!

With Sunday’s (3/5) results, the Royal Blues were confirmed as 2. Bundesliga champions. Board member for sport Frank Baumann, head coach Miron Muslic, and director of professional football Youri Mulder shared their thoughts on this great success.

2. Bundesliga

FC Schalke 04 are 2. Bundesliga champions!

A day after securing promotion back to the top flight, FC Schalke 04 were able to celebrate being crowned 2. Bundesliga champions. A 5-1 defeat for SC Paderborn 07 in Elversberg on Sunday (3/5) means that the Royal Blues can no longer be caught at the top of the standings, with an eight-point lead over second place with two matchdays left.

2. Bundesliga

Kenan Karaman: Together we have brought FC Schalke 04 back where it belongs!

A 14th goal of the season from Kenan Karaman not only paved the way for win number 20 of the term for FC Schalke 04 on Saturday (02/05), but the captain’s eye-catching strike on 15 minutes against Fortuna Düsseldorf also proved the key to unlock the door back to the top flight for the Knappen. “It makes me really proud to be able to score the goal to clinch promotion, but I am even prouder of the team and the club on the whole”, said the attacker.

2. Bundesliga