Matthew Spiranovic, Michael Beauchamp and Dario Vidosic were all absent though as the club crashed through the trapdoor.

Marcelo Bordon struck twice (19 and 60) as Schalke collected their fifth victory in six games to finish in third place and the final qualification spot for the Champions League.

Schalke's 66 points were two fewer than Werder Bremen, who won 1-0 against Bayer Leverkusen.

Nurnberg had managed to stave off relegation five times on the final game day in their history.

But the 2007 German Cup champions dug themselves too big a hole during the season and finished with just 31 points - three fewer than Arminia Bielefield.

Nurnberg will join Hansa Rostock and Duisburg next season in the second division.

Nurnberg knew they needed a victory to even have a chance to remain in the league, but Angelos Charisteas wasted the first opportunity in the 8th minute as he had some room but shot directly at Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

And Neuer stopped an Andreas Wolf header from seven yards five minutes later.

Schalke took advantage of their first decent chance and grabbed the lead in the 20th minute. Bordon rose high over the Nurnberg defence on a corner and hammered home a header from six yards.

The guests nearly doubled the lead after 28 minutes but Nurnberg striker Jan Koller cleared Kevin Kuranyi's chance from six yards.

The hosts refused to drop to the second division without a fight though, and Neuer stopped two long-range shots before the break from Marek Mintal and Zvjezdan Misimovic.

Nurnberg were more attacking after the break, but were unable to beat the Schalke back line, though Wolf headed over the bar from close range.

Bordon sealed the win for Schalke in the 61st minute when Christian Pander's free-kick fell to him at the far post and he struck home with his knee.

Schalke nearly scored an own goal in the 70th minute but Pander's header hit the crossbar.