New manager Jens Keller will look to guide Schalke to the quarterfinals of the German Cup in his first match in charge against Mainz, after the German club decided to part ways with Huub Stevens Sunday.
Schalke, while qualifying for the Champions League top of the group ahead of Arsenal, have struggled for any kind of consistency in the Bundesliga.
The 3-1 loss to Freiburg on Saturday proved to be the last straw as defeat meant Schalke are now in a disappointing seventh place on 25 points, 17 behind leaders Bayern Munich.
"First of all I'd like to thank Huub Stevens for the work he has done," general manager Horst Heldt told reporters. "He took charge of the team in a very difficult situation last autumn, guided them to third place in the Bundesliga and has just secured qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League. He has always given his all for the club and acted in the interests of FC Schalke 04.
"The Bundesliga is our bread and butter. After a very good start to the season, the best in 40 years, a creeping process unfortunately took hold in the Bundesliga. After the recent negative run of results the club had to take action. It wasn't easy for us.
"Regrettably, however, we've fallen behind the expectations during the first half of the season and after the defeat against Freiburg we no longer believed we could successfully contest the important DFB Cup round of 16 game against Mainz in this constellation."
Stevens' replacement Keller, who was enjoying a successful season with the under-17 side, said he was looking forward to the challenge.
"The players gave me a positive reception and I could tell they were totally focused on the cup game," Keller said. "Though I've watched the first team train on a regular basis, looking on from a distance is not the same as being in charge yourself.
"I'm now going to spend time considering how best to approach the game against Mainz. If we are to do well the psychological side of things will be very important."
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Prediction: 2-1 to Schalke
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