In the 2. Bundesliga, immediate promotion was achieved in 2022 under Mike Buskens, with Simon Terodde acting as the guarantee of goals. The euphoria was boundless. But it lasted for only one season.
In 2022/23 Schalke went straight back down as bottom club of the Bundesliga with only 18 points. It was the quickest return relegation after a promotion in recent Bundesliga history. Since then, Schalke have been playing in the second division — and by 2026 promotion is nowhere in sight.