"We lost only one game on home soil and reached the last-8-round of the German Cup. We battle for one of the international spots, and a new corporate identity is developing, and we improve the game style," Wagner said.

Considering Schalke's starting-point, he called the achievements amazing.

A GERMAN FOOTBALL INSTITUTION

Emotional, traditional, hardworking, located in a rough environment; Wagner's description might deliver a picture of Schalke's as a German football institution.

"It might not be the most kind-full area in Germany; we have a high unemployment rate. But over the last 100 years, this club has been the weekend-sunshine for people in hard times. This club provides a feeling of unity everyone can be part of, a shelter everyone can hide under."

Schalke is a family affair. "This feeling is passed on from generation to generation. When someone is leaving the area, he stays addicted to Schalke even after decades."

The Royal Blues are among the top three in numbers of supporters.

SEASON GOALS

Wagner sees Schalke in a promising way. "We try to keep the emotions out of the game and entirely concentrate on the tasks ahead."

He spoke about ambition. "Yes, we want to get to something, but we are humble, and we should be. Schalke can't express any claims. Maybe this is not typical for Schalke to stay calm and realistic."

Wagner spoke about long-term goals, such as to return to European competitions. This is an aim we want to have achieved by the end of our current contract in three years.

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