BERLIN, May 3 (Xinhua) -- A 1-0 victory over Fortuna Dusseldorf secured Schalke 04's return to the Bundesliga on Saturday, sparking jubilant celebrations among fans that continued late into the night.

The promotion marks Schalke's return to the top flight after recent seasons of instability, having spent three of the last four seasons in Germany's second tier.

The club later confirmed that coach Miron Muslic has extended his contract until 2028, capping what has been described as a long-awaited turnaround.

Muslic, who joined the club last summer, has overseen a revival following years of upheaval during which Schalke cycled through multiple coaches. The team's success prompted widespread celebrations across Gelsenkirchen, with large crowds gathering at the stadium, in bars and on the streets.

"We gave something back to the fans that had somehow been lost, that bond between the team and supporters," Muslic said.

Club captain Kenan Karaman called the achievement significant after a difficult period.

"We have been waiting so long for this, the club, the city," he said. "Challenging years are behind us. I have no words for what we have achieved."

Schalke's recent progress has come alongside ongoing financial restructuring. The club has reduced its debt burden to below 150 million euros, according to German magazine Kicker.

With more than 200,000 members, Schalke remains one of the largest clubs in Germany and has committed to maintaining a more sustainable financial model, with promotion expected to provide a significant boost.

"Schalke is more than just a football club," Muslic said. "It's an important part of people's daily lives." ■