Kenan Karaman led the turnaround at FC Schalke 04

Captain Kenan Karaman played a pivotal role in the turnaround of FC Schalke 04. In the spring of 2025, while the club was struggling at the bottom of the second Bundesliga and facing the threat of relegation to the third tier, Karaman initiated a crisis meeting with board chairman Matthias Tillmann.

During a two-and-a-half-hour discussion, Karaman demanded a change in direction, arguing that the squad required a personnel overhaul and a new coaching staff. This intervention led to the departure of coach Kees van Wonderen shortly after. Following these changes, the club underwent significant roster restructuring, including the departure of more than ten players, which eventually contributed to the team's upward trajectory.

Karaman, a 32-year-old former Turkish international, is noted for fulfilling a specific leadership profile sought by sporting director Frank Baumann. He is described as embodying the four key character types required by the club: dominant, disciplined, creative, and integrative.