Friendship between Schalke and Gladbach: A new fan age?
Friendship between Schalke and Gladbach: A new fan age?
Gelsenkirchen, Deutschland - On May 31, 2025, the Ultras Gelsenkirchen von Schalke 04 announced an interesting development in their fan debris "Blauer letter": They officially describe the fans of Borussia Mönchengladbach as "friends". This statement marks a significant step in the relationships between the two fan camps that have been maintaining contacts for years, but have so far mainly taken place in the form of small visits and private trips. However, an official friendship or merchandise article, such as friendship scarves, are not planned, which could disappoint fans of both sides to a certain extent. However, it is emphasized that the positive reactions in social networks support the new name and are considered sensible, especially with regard to the common rivals, Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Köln.
These interactions between Schalke 04 and Gladbach take on a new dimension, as there have been mutual visits in the past. For example, Gladbacher Ultras recently were present at the home game against Elversberg in Gelsenkirchen. These incidents could indicate that fans of both clubs from the fan culture want to establish a stronger connection to each other in order to position themselves against their rivals. While Schalke 04 also emphasizes the existing partnership with Sevilla FC, the fans seem to be in the foreground. This is reinforced by the mention of other connections such as 1. FC Nürnberg and FC Twente Enschede, which also play a role in Schalke's relationships.
growing rivalries and future perspectives
The developments in the Bundesliga environment could give friendship between Schalke 04 and Borussia Mönchengladbach additional swing. With the rise of 1. FC Köln to the Bundesliga, a newly busy rivalry between Cologne and Gladbach is preparing. The heated atmosphere that could create these encounters in the future can already be guessed at, since all four fan camps - Gladbach, Cologne, Schalke and Dortmund - can meet in the upcoming meetings. Such a meeting could also increase the importance of the duels between Gladbach and Cologne within the Schalke circles.
In addition, there are significant personal details in the context of both clubs. The sports director of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Roland Virkus, was recently spotted at Schalke, where he watched players like Taylan Bulut, Moussa Sylla and Asllani von Elversberg. These sporting movements could also affect the framework conditions of the fan relationships and further consolidate the connection between the two clubs. It remains to be seen how fan culture and sports communities will develop in this context. A return from Schalke 04 to the Bundesliga is viewed by many as a profit for the entire fan culture in Germany, as it brings fresh life into the existing rivalries and friendships.
This newly found "friendship" status between Ultras Gelsenkirchen and the Gladbach followers could thus be an exciting turn in the history of German football fans, which goes far beyond the field. The continuous efforts of connections and the dialogue between the fan groups lay the foundation for a more interesting and emotional fan culture in the Bundesliga.
For more information about the fan culture and developments in German football, you can see the work from Marcel Devantier on fan management and ultra scene: DetailsOrt Gelsenkirchen, Deutschland Quellen
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