Keller's job safe at Schalke

A 4-0 defeat to leader Bayern Munich saw Schalke - which finished third last term - drop to 10th spot and left Keller with a record of four points from four games since he replaced Huub Stevens just prior to Christmas

Including his nine games as coach of Stuttgart two seasons ago, Keller has won only three out of 13 Bundesliga matches, but he does not have to fear for his job, according to Schalke's director of sport Horst Heldt.

"Jens Keller was not on the pitch," Heldt said. "He will remain our coach until the end of the season."

Schalke's slump has seem it fall eight points adrift of fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, and although it is one of only four sides still unbeaten in this season's UEFA Champions League going into its last-16 tie with Galatasaray, the chances of it qualifying for the competition through the Bundesliga again next term are dwindling.

"There is no point us talking about the Champions League right now," added Heldt to Sport1 television.

"The players have got to find the key fast and get back to performing at their usual levels."

Goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand knows that also means him.

"We know that football is all about results and we have got to start getting points again somehow," he said.

"We want to make it together with Jens Keller. It is up to us players, not the coach."

Its first chance comes at home to sixth-placed Mainz this weekend, after which it travels to Turkey to take on Galatasaray in the first leg of its Champions League clash.