After discussion with Karaman, it quickly became clear that he should continue in his role as captain. “He suits us perfectly in terms of his profile and the aspirations that we all have. Kenan can help improve the side,” explained Muslic. “We need to support him in the best possible way by strengthening that which holds everything together.”

The attacker was a consistent leader throughout each of the past two seasons, scoring 26 goals and assisting a further 13 along the way. “Schalke means everything to Kenan, which is clear to see, but responsibility needs to be placed on more shoulders than just his,” accentuated the new head coach. “The prerequisites within the squad are right but our job is just to instil a newfound enthusiasm into the players.”

The look of the team is nevertheless set to change somewhat over the next few weeks and in the coming transfer periods. “We’ve delivered a clear signal of intent with the signing of Soufiane El-Faouzi. These are the types of players we want – those who are hungry and ready to invest everything they have. That fits in with the Schalke way of doing things, showing unyielding desire to suffer a little for the greater good,” emphasised Muslic. “That is something we hope to work on with the current team, while gradually establishing the right player profiles to fit these ideas and, above all, the character of Schalke.”

The new head coach of the Royal Blues has a clear idea of how he wants his team to perform on the pitch. “We want to be aggressive and play with a lot of intensity and bravery, as it’s a great fit for Schalke and the culture of the club,” explained the 42-year-old, adding: “We want to be active and ramp up the intensity. Our game is defined by aggression, intensity, constant pressure on the opponent, quick transitions and getting the ball forward. This also requires a willingness to act quickly, to be constantly alert. This will be a process, but we will see the first signs of progress relatively quickly.”