The former Holland skipper and Chelsea coach had come in for criticism after his team had failed to win in five league games and their 2-2 draw at Heerenveen on Saturday had left Feyenoord in fourth spot in the table, 11 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.

But they struggled again on Wednesday in their Group A match against the Germans who had already made sure of their place in the next stage.

Mike Hanke gave Schalke a seventh minute lead before Ivory Coast international striker Salomon Kalou levelled in the 32nd minute and then hit what proved to be the winner nine minutes later.

Kalou had been a doubt before the game suffering from a hamstring injury.

Swiss side Basel beat Ferencvaros 2-1 in the same group, a result which could put an end to Scottish side Hearts hopes of being one of the three qualifiers from the group.

Hearts slipped to fourth spot in the table, a point behind the Swiss team with one match to play.