Michael Büskens is a German former footballer who played as a midfielder, and current assistant manager of Schalke 04. During a 14-year professional career, he appeared in nearly 400 Bundesliga games, mainly representing Schalke 04, and later also briefly managing the latter.
Playing career
Büskens began his career with his hometown team Alemannia Düsseldorf, before he moved to city giants Fortuna. After five years, he moved to VfL Benrath, returning in 1987 to Fortuna, this time as member of the professional squad, and rarely missed one top division game during his three-year spell, although ended in relegation. In 1992, Büskens moved to FC Schalke 04, and lived the most successful years of his career. He was part of the UEFA Cup and German Cup2001 and 2002 winning squads, and never appeared in less than 27 league games in his first seven seasons. In the European conquest of 1997, he played in 10 matches, including both legs of the final against F.C. Internazionale Milano. In January 2000, Büskens spent half a season at MSV Duisburg, returning to Schalke after a poor season. He continued to play for the team until 2003, splitting between the first and second squads in his last year, also being assistant manager of the latter.
Managerial career
Schalke 04
In 2005, Büskens succeeded Gerhard Kleppinger as manager of the second squad. On 13 April 2008, he was appointed caretaker manager of Schalke's first team, alongside another former club player, Youri Mulder, succeeding Mirko Slomka after a 1–5 away loss to SV Werder Bremen, as the team was battling for a UEFA Champions League position. Büskens remained in charge until the end of the season, being replaced by Dutch Fred Rutten in July 2008. He finished the stint with a record of five wins and a draw. However, in March 2009, the latter was fired, which led to the pair again taking over the side until the end of the season, being then replaced by Felix Magath, and released by the club on 23 June 2009. He finished his second stint with a record of four wins, one draw, and four losses.
Büskens was named manager of Greuther Fürth on 27 December 2009. Büskens was sacked on 20 February 2013. He finished with a record of 50 wins, 33 draws, and 33 losses.
Büskens was named manager of Fortuna Düsseldorf on 4 June 2013. His first match was a 1–0 win against Energie Cottbus. Büskens picked Fabian Giefer to start the match instead of Michael Rensing. Rensing refused to be a substitute and left the stadium and went home. Robin Heller subsequently took the substitutes bench. Büskens was sacked on 30 November 2013, a day after a 2–0 loss to Karlsruher SC. He finished with a record of five wins, four draws, and 8 losses.
Return to Greuther Fürth
He was hired for the second time on 23 February 2015. His first match was a 2–1 loss against 1. FC Kaiserslautern on 27 February 2015. Then on 7 March 2015, Fürth and VfR Aalen finished in a 1–1 draw. In a Bavarian derby, on 13 March 2015, Fürth lost 3–0 to 1860 München. He resigned on 28 May 2015. He finished with a record of two wins, four draws, and six losses.
Büskens was hired by Rapid Wien on 7 June 2016. He signed a one–year contract with an option. He replaced Zoran Barisic. His first training session was on 10 June 2016. On 7 November 2016, Büskens was relieved of his duties.
Return to Schalke as assistant
He returned to Schalke on 14 March 2019 as the assistant manager on an interim basis.
