“Need new impulses”
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The crisis at VfL Wolfsburg leads to the next separation. After coach Paul Simonis, sports director Sebastian Schindzielorz has to go. After more than two and a half years in the position with the Wolves, the ex-professional was relieved of his duties. Sports director Peter Christiansen is now also taking over some of this, and he is allowed to stay and is looking for a successor. Names of people interested in the job have recently been in the media.
“Sebastian has always shown full commitment to VfL Wolfsburg – loyal, committed and with a high level of professional competence,” said Christiansen, who is now also criticized and under observation by the supervisory board, about Schindzielorz in a club statement. “In the current sporting situation, however, we have decided that we need new impulses in this position. I would like to expressly thank Sebastian for his work and commitment to VfL Wolfsburg and wish him all the best for his future.” Schindzielorz did not have a say in the VfL statement – as was the case at the weekend when the separation from coach Simonis was announced.
With Dutch coach Simonis, VfL suffered their sixth defeat in the last seven league games on the tenth Bundesliga matchday at Werder Bremen. In addition, there was the cup exit against second division team Kiel. In 14th place with just eight points, Wolfsburg had the second weakest start after ten match days in their Bundesliga history (since 1997/98). The name Thomas Reis recently emerged as a possible successor to Simonis, and according to a report, Jonas Boldt and Sven Mislintat seem to be in position for Schindzielorz.
The failed coach Simonis recently commented on the decision after leaving VfL Wolfsburg. “I just had the feeling that we were starting to play better – and suddenly it was all over,” said the 40-year-old to the “Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung” (on further statements from Simonis).
Error in Wolfsburg squad planning
Schindzielorz was part of VfL’s championship team in 2009 and returned to the VW club as sports director in February 2023. The 46-year-old previously worked at VfL Bochum.
In Wolfsburg, his downfall was mainly due to the failed squad planning, for which he was responsible together with the Dane Christiansen. During the big upheaval this summer, the duo made many mistakes and the VfL squad appears completely unbalanced.
Transfers such as the Brazilian Vini Souza or the Dane Jesper Lindstrøm have so far remained far below expectations. The urgently wanted center forward didn’t come at all in the summer. Schindzielorz was also accused of not having a close relationship with the team.