VfL Wolfsburg is still one of the finest clubs in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, the Lower Saxony will probably miss the European Cup qualification again. When will VfL finally call its potential? And can this succeed with coach Ralph Hasenhüttl? This is what the data say.
Maximilian Arnold is not just Bundesliga record player of VfL Wolfsburg (372 missions). But also the one who gives the most interviews right after the final whistle, even if there are no official statistics – almost surprisingly.
So ask Arnold about the current situation with the Lower Saxony: “If it runs shit, it somehow runs shit.” Said after the 2: 3 against RB Leipzig on the last match day, the fourth defeat in a row. On Saturday (3.30 p.m.) it goes to the 1st FSV Mainz 05.
VfL Wolfsburg, which is still lavishly alimented by the VW group, will rather not qualify for the European Cup and complete the fourth season in a row in the Bundesliga midfield.
Does Coach Hasenhüttl still have a future at VfL?
Which inevitably leads to the question of whether Ralph Hasenhüttl will still sit on the coaching bench in the coming season. Managing Director Peter Christiansen is currently making questions about the future of the coach. Successors are already being traded in various media, including St. Pauli’s coach Alexander Blessin.
The data experts from Global Soccer Network (GSN) took a close look at VfL Wolfsburg and come to a clear assessment: “Wolfsburg shows a significant sub -performance this season.” And in all areas: “This suggests structural problems -for example in sporting leadership, in coaching or in the squad combination and management,” according to the GSN classification of the location on the center edge channel.
Only small steps in the right direction
VfL has the fifth highest budget in the league and is currently in twelve. This is how far the claim and reality are apart – and this is not a snapshot: Since coach Oliver Glasner led the “wolves” in the Champions League 2020/2021, the club in the Bundesliga has twice in place and eighth – pure mediocrity.
Hasenhüttl caused positive things in his one -year term, as GSN emphasizes: “Wolfsburg has become more dangerous, efficient and tactically more variable.”
Strengths and weaknesses of VfL Wolfsburg
Strengthen:
- Effectiveness in the exploitation of opportunities
- Offensive standards
- Explosiveness in switching moments
Weaken:
- Bad pass quality
- Problems in controlled game structure
- Bad duel rate, especially on the ground
- Decreasing mileage in the last third of the game
But: “At the same time, there are structural deficits, especially in defensive behavior and in game control”. Despite the improvements, VfL is still relatively limited, and the good offensive balance is largely based on the individual skills of individual players, such as striker Mohammed Amoura, which stands out with ten goals and ten templates.
Solid basis is available
To integrate individuality into an overall concept, to create automatisms and clear role distributions, to ensure that it has been balanced on the pitch – Hasenhüttl has failed so far. Does he get the chance in the coming season to ensure further development steps and to fulfill his contract dated 2026? Or does the club tour come to the conclusion that there are no decisive improvements with the Austrian?
However, according to GSN, a complete conversion with a change of coaches and numerous new additions would be the wrong way, despite the disappointing season. “Wolfsburg has a basis on which it can be built,” say the data experts.
Three Squad must be edited
The scaffolding of the squad has quality, but the players need a functioning concept, or even better: several concepts that make the team significantly less calculated. In addition, according to GSN, three important squad construction sites would have to be edited.
In central defense, Wolfsburg needs a clear boss. “Someone who not only stabilizes the defense, but also organizes.” The defensive midfield also needs a clear leader: someone who combines stability and creativity – “a link between defensive and structure”.
On the wings, Wolfsburg should look for players who “convince both in one-on-one and do defensive work-that is, modern, both sides-oriented wing players”.
Who will say that in the coming season?
The list is not long, although not easy to work through. Above all, a “six” with both defensive and offensive skills is at the top of the list at almost every club.
But the factory club has enough money to sign out good players. However, he would first have to clarify who can spend this money. In addition to Hasenhüttl, sports director Sebastian Schindzielorz may also be available. Because Wolfsburg is not exploiting his potential again.
This topic in the program:
Sports club | 04/20/2025 | 10:50 p.m.
