| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Johannes Theodor Bücker | ||
| Date of birth | (1948-07-10)10 July 1948 (age 77) | ||
| Place of birth | Velmede [de],Bestwig, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Athletico SC U15 (manager) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1969–1973 | Borussia Dortmund | 62 | (13) |
| 1973–1978 | MSV Duisburg | 153 | (32) |
| 1978–1981 | Ittihad | ||
| 1981–1984 | FC Schalke 04 | 54 | (5) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1997–1999 | Kazma | ||
| 1999–2000 | SV Meppen | ||
| 2001 | Lebanon | ||
| 2001–2002 | Sagesse | ||
| 2002–2003 | Zamalek | ||
| 2003–2004 | Ismaily | ||
| 2005 | Al-Kuwait | ||
| 2005 | Zamalek | ||
| 2005–2006 | Ismaily | ||
| 2006–2007 | Al Wehda | ||
| 2007 | Al-Ahli Jeddah[1] | ||
| 2008–2009 | Al Wehda | ||
| 2010 | Al Masry | ||
| 2011 | Ahed | ||
| 2011–2013 | Lebanon | ||
| 2013 | Ettifaq | ||
| 2014–2015 | Nejmeh | ||
| 2015–2016 | Dibba Al-Fujairah | ||
| 2016 | Emirates | ||
| 2017 | AC Tripoli | ||
| 2017–2018 | Nejmeh | ||
| 2018–2020 | Ahli Sarba | ||
| 2020– | Athletico SC U15 | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Johannes Theodor "Theo" Bücker[2] (born 10 July 1948) is a Germanfootball manager and a former player,[3] who is the current coach of the under-15 team of Lebanese clubAthletico SC.
On 8 August 2011, Bücker was announced asLebanon's head coach, with the former national team manager taking over the reins ten years after leaving the position. He is the first ever coach to bring Lebanon to thefourth and final qualifying round of theFIFA World Cup.[4] During this period, the Lebanese national team made impressive results. They defeated theUnited Arab Emirates 3–1 inBeirut,South Korea 2–1 in Beirut, andKuwait 1–0 inKuwait in thethird round. For the first time in their history, Lebanon defeatedIran by a single goal on matchday 4 of the final round. Bücker announced his retirement in May 2013, effective from 11 June 2013, after a match that saw his side defeated by Iran 4–0.
On 18 December 2017, Bücker was re-appointed head coach ofLebanese Premier League clubNejmeh, following his spell during the2013–14 season where he won a league title.[5] Nejmeh finished the2017–18 season as runners-up.[5]
In 2018 Bücker became the coach ofLebanese Second Division clubAhli Sarba,[6] staying at the club during their relegation to the Third Division.[4]
On 6 July 2020, Bücker was appointed coach of the under-15 team ofAthletico SC.[7]
Bücker considers himself as "half-Lebanese" and is married to aLebanese woman.[4] He has been a resident ofBeirut for many years, expressing his love for his adopted nation.
In 2012, former Lebanon national team memberBuddy Farah stated that the credit for Lebanon's success and improvement should go to Bücker and that he was the best thing ever to happen to Lebanese football.[8]
Individual