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FC Schalke 04’s board and sporting management have decided to make several changes to the first-team setup after analysis carried out over several months following the disappointing 2023/2024 season. The club therefore informed members of the coaching team and backroom staff that they will no longer be part of the first-team setup for the upcoming season.
These decisions are part of the restructuring of the club that has been going on since the start of the calendar year. “In order to reach our long-term goals, especially of returning to the Bundesliga, we believe that we need make big changes to have the necessary impact. For example, we have done this by hiring Ben Manga as director of squad planning, scouting and the Knappenschmiede youth academy, and we are now continuing this in the other areas of the first-team setup,” explained CEO Matthias Tillmann.
As part of these changes, a number of staff members have been spoken to across the past few days. As well as in the coaching team, personnel changes will also be made to the analysts, fitness coaches and physiotherapists. Out of respect for the staff members affected and in accordance with employment law, the club will not be commenting on specific individuals at this time.
Two exceptions to that, because their contracts expire on 30th June 2024, are Mike Büskens and Simon Henzler. The club’s goalkeeping coach will leave S04 after nine years. “First of all, I would like to thank Simon Henzler on behalf of the club for his work. He was a part of the goalkeeper team for a long time and experienced a lot of difficult periods in recent years,” said Tillmann.
Mike Büskens will not remain in his role as assistant coach for the first team next season. “Over a number of years as a player and a coach, Buyo has experienced lots of success with S04, most recently as head coach of the promotion-winning team in 2021/22. He’s also successfully helped youngsters on their path to become professionals. We’re extremely thankful for all his work in various different roles here.”
Tillmann went on to say that one thing is extremely important when looking at the results of the analysis and the subsequent personnel changes in the squad and amongst the staff. “It’s not about individual decisions, but rather the big picture in the interests of the club,” Tillmann emphasised. Processes of change of this magnitude are never easy and rarely quiet. “These aren’t easy decisions and conversations – especially for the employees affected.”
FC Schalke 04 will provide information regarding replacements for the coaching and backroom staff in due course.
