FC Schalke 04 has had to let go of players they have grown fond of too often in recent years. Players like Rodrigo Zalazar, Moritz Jenz and Tom Krauß turned their backs on the cash-strapped Ruhrpott club. Despite the relegation, the fans would have liked to see them continue in royal blue. But the whole thing wasn’t financially feasible.
Alex Kral is one of them. The Czech came to FC Schalke 04 in the summer of 2022 – and established himself as a regular player. He couldn’t prevent relegation either. He changed – with a heavy heart, as he now reveals to DER WESTEN. He is already dreaming of a possible return.
FC Schalke 04: Alex Kral looks back
With tears in his eyes, Kral sat on the lawn of the Leipzig stadium on May 27, 2023. A 2:4 defeat had just sealed the S04’s second relegation within two years. Dejected, the players trotted over to the fans who had traveled with them and who were building up despite the disaster. Some probably already suspected that it would be their last appearance in the royal blue jersey.
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“The descent was really bitter,” Kral now looks back on this dark moment in an interview with DER WESTEN. “I felt really sorry for the fans.” A little later, his departure was confirmed. If they had managed to stay in the league, says the 25-year-old, he would definitely have spoken to FC Schalke 04 about staying.
Return to Gelsenkirchen?
As is well known, he stayed in the Bundesliga and went to Union Berlin. However, he is currently only under contract there for this season. What comes next? Kral doesn’t know that yet. But he is already talking about a possible return to Gelsenkirchen.
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He enjoyed every moment at S04. The fans are “among the best in Europe”. It was an incredible experience. “Maybe I can imagine going back one day,” says the Czech.
FC Schalke 04: Duel with the rival
But first there is a special game for Kral. With Union he meets the S04 arch-rivals from Dortmund. It goes without saying that he is extra motivated before the game on Saturday (March 2nd). If he and his teammates made BVB’s current crisis even worse, the Schalke fans would certainly not be angry with him.
You can read what Alex Kral has to say about his situation at Union Berlin, how he continues to pursue S04 and what his goals are in the entire DER WESTEN interview >>>