 However, they were knocked out in the first round the following season.He was given a lifeline when his side knocked out Primeira Liga Champions Porto 4–1 on penalties after a 1–1 draw on aggregate in the UEFA Champions League, but Schalke 04 were knocked out in the next round by Barcelona 2–0 on aggregate, and the final spell for him was a humiliating 5–1 defeat at the hands of title rival Werder Bremen.On 13 April 2008, the club management of Schalke 04 released Slomka from his obligations after several weak performances of the team.