In the second half of the 2020/2021 season, FC Schalke 04 signed Shkodran Mustafi from Arsenal. The central defender should help to avert the threat of relegation. An undertaking that, as is well known, failed. The 2014 world champion now remembered his time with the Royal Blues.
“The relegation with Schalke is of course a black mark,” said Mustafi in an interview with “Sport1” and added: “Back then, of course, I hoped that it would end differently and that we would manage to stay in the league, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. “
During the turbulent season, Mustafi was brought in as a short-term reinforcement in the winter, but was unable to prevent the club from moving to the second division at the end of the season. Then they parted ways after just five months.
“I moved there full of anticipation because it was my first time in the Bundesliga. I really would have liked it to have turned out differently, but I have no regrets about Schalke,” said Mustafi: “It was an important experience for me .”
FC Schalke 04: Horror night as the “most difficult moment” of the career
In the interview, the 31-year-old also remembered the horror night in which the Schalke players were chased by the “fans” after relegation. “It was one of the most difficult moments in my career,” emphasized the former Arsenal professional.
Mustafi wasn’t afraid, “but it was worrying not knowing what was going to happen,” said the defender: “I was able to assess the situation a bit, but you never know where the situation will develop when there are emotions are in play. You just wish there wasn’t a complete escalation.”
Mustafi is currently without a club after his contract with UD Levante expired in the summer. “I had hoped that I would be able to sign a new contract. But unfortunately that wasn’t the case because I had to have surgery on my heel,” said the veteran.
There have recently been “intensive discussions” with some clubs. “I’m waiting and am ready for a new task. The anticipation is great. It’s still tingling,” emphasized Mustafi. But there probably won’t be a return to the Bundesliga: “It will probably be abroad.”