Fiery Newcomer Muslić Ambitiously Eyeing Schalke's Revival
Muslim Fanatics to Adopt Klopp's Tactics for Schalke's Revamp
Step up, mate, it's time for a new chapter at Schalke. That's the gist of Miron Muslić's eager message, the club's latest coach bringingthe heat to the iconic German football squad.
"I want an unyielding, intense, and aggressive team," Muslić, the fresh face from Austria, declares, aiming to distance Schalke from last season's dismal performances. He promises a "new dynamic, a new sense of togetherness" to the fans who have longed for a sense of continuity in the coaching position. This is a must for a club eager to rebound from the struggles that led to a depressing 14th place finish in the second division, and eventually return to the Bundesliga.
Schalke has bet on a relatively unknown yet confident figure, muscle-bound and brimming with confidence. His diminutive stature belies his ambitions, as he confidently reveals his plans to transform the team.
Loyalty and dedication are front and center in Muslić's demands. Gone is the burden of the massive, always sold-out stadium; it's now an inspiration, he says, reminding everyone that they're in a performance industry.
Muslić makes no bones about it: he wants to establish a Klopp-style playing philosophy. With Schalke still a behemoth in German football, he plans to spearhead a passionate, offensive style, with players as pressing hunters. He firmly believes his new team can deliver on this vision.
Refugee childhood, modest beginnings, and grit galore—Muslić's background is a tale of hard work and determination. Born in what is now Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1982, he came to Austria as a refugee, going on to play and coach in the lower divisions before finally reaching the big leagues.
Behind the Scenes
Schalke hopes Muslić will bring an end to the coaching carousel, with his appointment marking the club's quest for stability amid the pressure, unique environment, and media attention that comes with being one of Germany's premier football clubs.
The latest example of this was the public criticism by supervisory board chairman Axel Hefer following the disastrous season, an unwelcome situation that generated controversy within the board. The public spat came to a head when board member Ender Ulupinar took to social media to express his displeasure, leading to his removal from all committees, despite maintaining his position as a board member.
Muslić, however, is undeterred. He's already deeply immersed in squad planning, working in close coordination with new sporting director Frank Baumann, who views the coach as the most important person in sports. Communication and high-performance culture are the order of the day.
A summer overhaul appears imminent, with Kenan Karaman set to remain captain under Muslić. A new team is to be forged, one with the potential to compete for promotion. построеж и очакванияк
Nevertheless, assembling this team depends on transfer revenue, with top scorer Moussa Sylla and junior national player Taylan Bulut considered potential assets that could bring money to the highly-indebted Gelsenkircheners. Losing Sylla, who scored 16 goals last season, would be a significant blow sportingly.
The Reconciliation Process
Muslić knows he has his work cut out for him, needing to win back the sympathies of the fans. Many were heard booing their own players in a 1:2 defeat against Elversberg on the final matchday. His plan? Convince them again with their performance. "They have the right to demand everything from the team," Muslić says, looking at the role of the fans.
Regaining trust may take some time, but Muslić's first measure could serve as a step towards reconciliation. He's letting his team train publicly several times in a row.
Sources:- ntv.de- Thomas Eßer- dpa
- 2nd Football Bundesliga
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In his coaching career, Muslić has progressed through the lower divisions of Austrian football, starting as an assistant coach at Union Weißkirchen. He later became head coach of SV Ried in the Austrian Bundesliga, a club he also played for as a forward. In 2021, he joined Belgian club Cercle Brugge as an assistant coach and later became head coach, successfully lifting the club from relegation threats to a top-half finish and European competition qualification for the first time in 14 years. Most recently, he managed Plymouth Argyle in the English Championship, where he notably led the team to an FA Cup victory over Liverpool, although the club fell short of Championship survival. Schalke officials praised Muslić for his clear and recognizable coaching style, which emphasizes inspiring groups and supporting individual player development. Frank Baumann, Schalke’s board member for sport, highlighted Muslić’s expertise and communication skills as key factors for his appointment, expressing confidence in his ability to lead both the team and individual players to success.
"Muslić plans to seek community aid for the construction of new buildings, such as sports facilities, to foster a stronger sense of unity within theSchalke community. This will help create a Klopp-style playing environment, where the team can train and develop their skills more effectively."
"Additionally, Muslić aims to ensure that Schalke's European Leagues ambitions are met by focusing on sports such as football and focusing on building a new team that can compete in these leagues, bringing back the prestige that the club once held."
