Mike Büskens takes over as head coach until the end of the season

“We are very pleased that Mike Büskens has taken up our suggestion that he take over this role to help support the club through this current period. We are 100% convinced that Buyo is the right choice to guide us through the final stages of the season,” said sporting director Rouven Schröder.

Both Peter Knäbel and Schröder are certain that Büskens has the energy and demeanour needed to take on this challenge. “He lives and breathes Schalke and Gelsenkirchen, and will give it everything to ensure that we have a chance at promotion right until the final matchday,” said Schröder, adding that “Buyo asked us that he only take over on an interim basis, and that he be able to return to his old position as assistant coach at the end of the season. We were happy to accommodate this request.”

Until then, the former Eurofighter is looking to help the club be as successful as possible. “When Rouven approached me on Sunday afternoon, my first thought was to discuss it with my family and Huub Stevens. They all told me that I should do it until the end of the season,” said Büskens. “Right now, it’s about taking the maximum points we can from the nine games that remain. We can only do that if we act as a team, if we give it everything and showcase our potential on the pitch, both in terms of our football and our character. We will take on this challenge as a team.”

Büskens will not be able to do his work in person for the next few days. Following a positive test for Covid-19 on Sunday (06/03), Buyo, who is currently asymptomatic, will be in isolation for the time being. As a result, Matthias Kreutzer will be taking training for the foreseeable future. Buskens’ ability to join the team in Ingolstadt on Sunday (13/03) is possible depending on how his recovery progresses. The full setup of the coaching staff will be announced by the club in the course of this week.