Schalke are rooted to the bottom of the table on four points from 13 games. They are also on a 29-game winless run in the top flight.

Gross last managed Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in February. He previously led Swiss clubs Grasshopper Zurich and Basel to two and four league titles, respectively.

"We have to be goal-oriented and work towards results," Gross said in a statement here. "I want to feel the players' enthusiasm at all times. We need to have a good atmosphere in and around the team to be successful again. I will give everything so that we can accomplish our goals together.”

Gross is Schalke’s fourth coach of the season as he replaces interim boss Huub Stevens, appointed after the sacking of Manuel Baum earlier this month. Baum had replaced David Wagner, who was fired in September.