In the middle of the chaos, there was one bright light: promotion in 2022 under Mike Buskens. The “Eurofighter” of 1997, taking charge as interim coach, turned the tide through sheer emotion. Simon Terodde, the record goalscorer of the 2. Bundesliga, virtually shot Schalke back to the Bundesliga by himself.
The promotion party in front of 62,000 fans at the Veltins-Arena was one of the most emotional experiences in recent Schalke history.