VfL Wolfsburg Parts Ways with Coach Simonis Amidst Squad Concerns
WOLFSBURG – VfL Wolfsburg has relieved head coach Niko Simonis of his duties, the club confirmed today. The decision follows a period of underperformance and mounting criticism surrounding the team’s squad composition and internal dynamics. Reports indicate that former coaches Thomas Fischer,Markus Walter,and Bruno Labbadia were considered as potential replacements.
Simonis arrived at Wolfsburg in the summer, recommended for leading Go Ahead Eagles Deventer to their first Dutch Cup victory in 92 years. He was tasked with implementing a more dominant, possession-based style of play, but failed to achieve tangible results. The dismissal comes amid a sporting crisis, with Simonis appearing increasingly unable to address the team’s struggles.
The core of Wolfsburg’s issues stems from summer squad planning overseen by sporting director Marcel Schäfer and Sebastian Schindzielorz. Transfers like Vinicius Souza and Jesper Lindstrøm have failed to meet expectations, and the team lacked a crucial center forward addition. Even the signing of Christian Eriksen has yet to yield a positive impact, given existing midfield depth.
Adding to the challenges, captain Maximilian Arnold and goalkeeper Marius Müller publicly acknowledged a lack of cohesion and attitude problems within the squad – issues Simonis was unable to resolve. Schäfer,who arrived in 2024 to restructure the club,and Schindzielorz now face increasing scrutiny,with their positions reportedly under discussion within the club.