Fußballclub Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04 e. V., commonly known as FC Schalke 04, Schalke 04, or abbreviated as S04, is a professional German football and multi-sports club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. The "04" in the club's name derives from its formation in 1904. Schalke have been one of the most popular professional football teams in Germany, even though the club's heyday was in the 1930s and 1940s. Schalke play in the 2. Bundesliga, the second tier of the German football league system, following relegation from the Bundesliga in 2022–23. As of 2023, the club has 178,000 members, making it the second-largest football club in Germany and the fourth-largest club in the world in terms of membership. Other activities offered by the club include athletics, basketball, handball, table tennis, winter sports and eSports.
Ebbe Sand is a former professional footballer from Denmark who played as a forward for Brøndby IF in Denmark and FC Schalke 04 in Germany. He was the Bundesliga top scorer in 2001, and won the DFB-Pokal in 2001 and 2002 with Schalke. On the international stage, he played for the Denmark national team at the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2000 and 2004 European Championships. At the 1998 World Cup, he scored the fastest-ever World Cup goal by a substitute – 16 seconds after entering the match.
Andreas Möller is a German former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. He is the head of the youth department at Eintracht Frankfurt.
The 2000–01 Bundesliga was the 38th season of the Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. It began on 11 August 2000 and ended on 19 May 2001. FC Bayern Munich successfully defended their title after a last-minute Patrik Andersson goal denied Schalke 04 their first title.
Gerald Asamoah is a German football executive and former professional player who works as the first-team manager of Schalke 04.
Thomas Linke is a retired German professional footballer. He played as a central defender and last worked as the director of football of FC Ingolstadt 04.
Jürgen Kohler is a World Cup-winning German footballer and manager, who played as a centre-back.
Mimoun Azaouagh is a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Fabian Ernst is a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He was regarded as a two-way player who can stop the opposition and start attacks with his passing from central midfield.
Olaf Thon is a German former professional football player and coach.
Martin Max is a German former professional footballer who played as a striker.
Tomasz Wojciech Wałdoch is a Polish former professional footballer who played as a defender in Poland and Germany.
Oliver Reck is a German football manager and former player.
Helmut Kremers is a German former professional footballer who played as a full-back. His twin brother, Erwin Kremers, also played as a German international with the two brothers playing with each other regularly. Helmut and Erwin Kremers are the first ever twins to play in the Bundesliga.
Mathias Schober is a German former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Schober is currently the director of Development at Schalke.
Michael Büskens is a German former football player who played as a midfielder and a football manager. He is currently the assistant head coach of Bundesliga club Schalke 04.
Yves Eigenrauch is a German former professional footballer who played mainly as a right back.
Christian Streich is a German professional football manager and former player who is the currently manager of Bundesliga club SC Freiburg. On 29 December 2011, he was named manager following the release of Marcus Sorg. Because of his immediate success at the club and his enigmatic and, oftentimes, energetic personality, Streich has been called a "cult figure", a "firebrand", and a "football philosopher".
Maximilian Meyer is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Swiss Super League club FC Luzern. He has represented the Germany national team.
Paul Seguin is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04.
