Henning Bürger (born December 16, 1969) is a German professional football coach and former player who primarily played as a defender or midfielder. He is currently the head coach of the German club FC Carl Zeiss Jena.
Early Life and Playing Career
Bürger was born in Zeitz, East Germany. He began his senior career in the early 1990s with FC Carl Zeiss Jena. In 1994, he moved to FC Schalke 04, making his debut in the Bundesliga. Throughout his playing career, Bürger represented several notable German clubs, including FC St. Pauli, Eintracht Frankfurt, 1. FC Saarbrücken, and Rot-Weiß Erfurt. He also had a brief stint in the Austrian Bundesliga with SV Ried.
Bürger was known for his versatility on the left side of the pitch. He accumulated over 200 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga and made significant appearances in the top-flight Bundesliga before retiring from professional play in 2005.
Coaching Career
Following his retirement as a player, Bürger transitioned into coaching, beginning with the youth system and reserve teams of FC Carl Zeiss Jena. He served as the head coach of Jena's first team in the 2. Bundesliga during the 2007–2008 season.
In subsequent years, he held various coaching positions, including:
- Eintracht Braunschweig: He managed the club’s reserve team (Eintracht Braunschweig II) and served as an interim coach for the first team in 2018.
- German Football Association (DFB): Bürger worked within the youth development structures of the DFB, coaching the Germany U-15 national team.
- Return to Carl Zeiss Jena: In 2022, he returned to FC Carl Zeiss Jena in a directorial and coaching capacity. He was appointed as the head coach of the first team again in early 2024.
Professional Profile
As a coach, Bürger is recognized for his focus on youth development and his long-standing tactical association with the regional football structures of Thuringia. His career is characterized by a deep-rooted connection to FC Carl Zeiss Jena, where he has served as a player, youth coordinator, and multi-time head coach.