Schalke duo replace Rutten

The duo took the reins towards the end of last season and helped the Gelsenkirchen club secure a Champions League spot following the exit of Mirko Slomka.

Now they have been placed in charge following the sacking of Fred Rutten, although neither Mulder nor Buskens seem too keen on their new responsibilities.

Mulder told Suddeutsche Zeitung: "The club didn't really want us to continue and nor did we.

"We were just told to lead training, but we didn't really have any desire to do so.

"We are not crazy. Mike and I thought that it would have been better for the structure of the club if Fred had continued."

Buskens added: "This is the most difficult situation in recent years. I have never experienced such a turbulent time."

Meanwhile, Wolfsburg have released the former 1860 Munich goalkeeper Simon Jentzsch from his contract with immediate effect.

The 32-year-old has been given the chance to find a new club now as his contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

Jentzsch joined Wolfsburg six years ago but fell out with boss Felix Magath midway through last season and lost his place to Diego Benaglio.

His last appearance for the club came in the 2-2 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt in December 2007 and he failed to find a new club during the January transfer window.

Midfielder Makoto Hasebe could miss the rest of the season after picking up an injury while on international duty at the weekend.

The 25-year-old sustained a knee injury in the closing stages of Japan’s World Cup qualifying win against Bahrain on Saturday.

Hasebe has flown back to Germany where he will undergo extensive tests in Hamburg.

However, it is feared that he may have damaged ligaments which could sideline him for up to six months.