Meet the Ex-Plymouth Boss Revitalizing Schalke

New Schalke head coach Miron Muslic was struck by the club's enormity before his first game, with 3,000 fans attending the initial training session. He notes, 'This makes the club not only big but special.' Muslic had an emotional decision to leave Plymouth Argyle, where he had a successful stint, to take on the challenge at Schalke, which boasts 62,000 fans per home game and is the world's sixth-largest club in terms of membership. Despite the club's fragile state, having conceded over 120 goals in two years, Muslic sees potential. 'From day one, we focused on the future, not the past, and aimed to stabilize the club,' he explains. Midway through his first season, Schalke tops the table, and Muslic's tactics, emphasizing 'aggressive, intense, and brave' play, have been instrumental. He differs from modern coaching by focusing on 'big gains' rather than 'marginal gains.' His approach involves defining the game without the ball, allowing opponents to play 65 meters from the goal but pressuring them upon entering a certain zone. This 'brave football' has led to the best defensive record in the top two German divisions. Muslic's success can be attributed to his ability to connect with players, simplify the game, and his passion for football and life beyond the sport. As a Bosnian refugee, he is aware of his responsibility in representing his country. With interests ranging from reading to nature walks, Muslic believes in maintaining a balance to cope with football's pressures, which he likens to a 'vampire' that can drain energy. Ready for the challenges at Schalke, Muslic is prepared to face the difficulties head-on, with his assistant noting, 'It's dog eat dog,' and Muslic adding, 'You cannot survive without energy, but it's a privilege to coach this club.'