On the eve of their 75th birthday, the Kremers twins are not in a happy mood because they are worried about their FC Schalke 04.

“You get panic attacks,” says Helmut Kremers in the SID interview, referring to the current situation of the Royal Blues. “I can’t even think about it,” adds Erwin.

When the first pop stars of German soccer celebrate their 75th birthday on Sunday, the fear for their club, which is threatened with relegation to the third division – and thus possible insolvency – also resonates. “It’s terrible,” says Helmut Kremers, who regularly sits in the stands with his granddaughter.

“There’s not much quality in the team,” criticizes the 1974 world champion, who remained loyal to Schalke even after his playing career – as manager, interim coach and last president. Erwin Kremers also agrees. “Buying quality costs money,” says the 1972 European champion, adding with regard to the current club management: “But that’s up to those at the top to decide.”

In the crisis that threatens the club’s existence, everyone who cares about the club must “enter into a dialog and see how we can strengthen the club: How can we strengthen the club? A lot has to happen.” His brother Helmut fears the consequences of relegation to the third division “for the people at the club and the entire city of Gelsenkirchen”. The Kremers twins, who enjoyed cult status at Schalke in the 70s, celebrate their 75th birthday on Sunday