AUDIO: Bernauer becomes Kellermann’s successor in Wolfsburg (1 min)
“A great honor”
As of: May 29, 2026 2:34 p.m
The women’s soccer team at VfL Wolfsburg has a new director: Vanessa Bernauer, who played for the Bundesliga club from 2014 to 2018, is coming from FC Zurich on July 1st.
The 38-year-old Swiss has signed until 2029 and inherits Ralf Kallermann, who is moving to the up-and-coming third division club Borussia Dortmund.
Returning in a new role
Bernauer was already under contract with VfL during her active career and won the DFB Cup four times and the German championship twice during this time. Most recently, the former midfielder (92 international matches for Switzerland) worked as a sports coordinator for FC Zurich in her home country since the end of her career.
“This is a great honor, but also an equally great obligation.”
Vanessa Bernauer
“I am very proud to be returning to VfL Wolfsburg as a player eight years after I left and to be taking on responsibility as director of women’s football,” says Bernauer. “To be able to work in this role for one of the most successful women’s football clubs in Europe is a great honor, but also an equally great obligation.”
Vanessa Bernauer (l.) played for VfL Wolfsburg from 2014 to 2018.
Her mission is clear: she should bring the Wolfsburg women back to their former strength. The last championship title dates back to 2022, before Bayern Munich last won the trophy four times in a row. Bernauer played under current VfL coach Stephan Lerch.
Words of praise from Diego Benaglio
“Vanessa has great experience in the top European leagues and knows what it takes to build a successful team,” explains Wolfsburg’s supervisory board member Diego Benaglio. “With these attributes, Vanessa fits our requirements profile perfectly. I am very optimistic that she will provide the necessary impetus to lead women’s football at VfL into a successful future.”
