Schalke 04, one of German football's most storied clubs, are once again the subject of conversation after their return to the Bundesliga following a turbulent period that saw them spend four of the last five seasons in the second division.
The Gelsenkirchen-based club boast seven top-flight German championships and a UEFA Cup triumph among their honours, a legacy that stands in contrast to their recent struggles. Their home ground, the Arena AufSchalke, remains one of the most recognisable venues in European football, having staged World Cup matches and a Champions League final in years past.
Despite the club's rich history, Schalke's fortunes on the pitch have dipped sharply, with relegation battles and repeated trips to the second tier becoming a familiar story for supporters. Their fierce and long-standing rivalry with Borussia Dortmund, one of German football's most intense derbies, has also been affected by the disparity in results between the two clubs in recent years.
Now back among the Bundesliga elite, questions are being asked about whether Schalke can use this promotion as a springboard to reclaim their place among Germany's leading clubs. The topic was explored in a recent episode of the BBC's More than the Score podcast, hosted by Mani Djazmi, which examined the club's past, present and the challenges ahead.
The episode featured insight from former professional Christian Fuchs, who discussed Schalke's identity and standing within German football, as well as BBC Sport journalist Nathan Edwards, who offered his perspective on the club's rivalry with Dortmund and its broader significance in the domestic game.
Also featured was Schalke head coach Miron Muslic, who spoke previously to the BBC's Euro Leagues podcast about the impact veteran Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko has had since joining the club. Dzeko, a player with decades of top-level experience across Europe, has brought a wealth of know-how to a Schalke squad looking to establish itself back in the top flight.
Muslic's comments highlighted the importance of experienced figures like Dzeko in guiding a young and rebuilding squad through the demands of Bundesliga football, particularly after such a prolonged absence from the division. The coach's remarks pointed to the belief within the club that a blend of experience and ambition could help stabilise Schalke's return and lay the groundwork for a more sustained push up the table.
For a club with Schalke's history and fanbase, simply surviving in the Bundesliga may not be viewed as sufficient long-term. The discussion around their prospects reflects wider expectations from supporters who remember an era when the club regularly competed for domestic honours and played a leading role in European competition.
Whether Schalke can translate this promotion into a genuine revival remains to be seen, but the conversation around their potential marks a shift from the uncertainty of recent seasons. With figures like Fuchs and Edwards weighing in on the club's identity and trajectory, and Muslic overseeing the on-field rebuild alongside experienced players such as Dzeko, there appears to be renewed optimism among those close to the club.
As the season progresses, attention will turn to how Schalke perform against the division's established sides, and whether their return to Germany's top flight can be the first step toward restoring the club to the status it once held in both domestic and European football.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport (More than the Score podcast).