When Schalke 04's promotion campaign started to gain momentum, captain Kenan Karaman knew exactly who deserved the credit. In a candid interview with Bundesliga, the Turkish international heaped praise on head coach Miron Muslić, describing the Austrian-Bosnian tactician as a transformative force for the Royal Blues.

"The manager has been a real asset from day one as he sets the direction," Karaman said. "And, over time, the belief grew that we could achieve something this season." Those words carry extra weight considering the context: Muslić, the former Plymouth Argyle boss, arrived at a club still reeling from back-to-back disappointing campaigns. His immediate impact? Guiding Schalke back to top-flight football in his debut season—a feat that earned him a contract extension through 2028.

Karaman admitted that optimism was initially tempered by recent history. "After two poor seasons, you don't set expectations too high. That was the same for me. I was simply glad that the club managed to establish clear structures." But Muslić quickly changed that narrative. "He brought structure with a clear plan and a clear vision, which he communicates every day. He demands a lot on the training pitch, which was something that had been missing in recent years. He sets the direction very clearly, and we try to follow it and deliver what he expects. He does that very well."

What sets the 43-year-old coach apart, according to his captain, is an almost infectious energy. "I think it's just his personality. He naturally brings a lot of energy, and you can feel it in every training session. He's very clear in what he does, and that helped us a lot at the beginning." For a club like Schalke, with its passionate fanbase and storied history, having a leader who can ignite that kind of belief is invaluable—both on the pitch and in the stands.