Gelsenkirchen (dpa) – FC Schalke 04 has celebrated its return to the Bundesliga with its supporters. One day after the last game of the season in Nuremberg (2:1), around 20,000 fans gave the newly promoted team a rousing welcome at their home stadium.
Accompanied by thunderous applause, the pros took the stage at 7:04 p.m. on Rudi-Assauer-Platz. After singing the club song together, captain Danny Latza presented the visitors with the second division championship trophy.
“The mood is outstanding,” enthused sporting director Rouven Schröder. “We can all be proud. Each individual showed what it means to play for Schalke. So it was an absolute team effort.” Second division top scorer Simon Terodde looked back on the season with similar euphoria: “It’s unbelievable when you see where we were nine weeks ago. Something has developed properly this season. And luckily we were able to complete it in the end. “
Büskens: I was lucky three times
There was particularly loud applause for successful coach Mike Büskens, who had temporarily succeeded head coach Dimitrios Grammozis at the beginning of March. “I got lucky once with my family. I got lucky the second time 30 years ago when I became part of this community. And I got lucky the third time that I got to work with these awesome guys,” said the 54 year old soccer teacher.
After the celebration, the team went on vacation. However, there is still a lot of work to be done for the executive floor. So a successor for successful coach Büskens has to be found. The former professional wants to devote himself to promoting young professionals again in the new season as an assistant coach.