With VfL since 2018
Swiss national player Renato Steffen is thinking about leaving VfL Wolfsburg after four and a half years. At a national team media event, the 30-year-old winger spoke about major difficulties between him and former VfL coach Florian Kohfeldt.
“The last six months have definitely been one of the most difficult phases of my career. I had never experienced such problems with a coach,” said Steffen, who was used 16 times by Kohfeldt. “But I’m a tough guy and I spoke up about it. Depending on what you do, there are people in front of you with whom it fits or not. It just didn’t work out for him.”
The left-footed player joined the “Wolves” from FC Basel in January 2018 for 1.75 million euros, making him one of the six longest-serving professionals in the current squad. Overall, Steffen, whose working paper is valid until 2023, has made 144 appearances for Lower Saxony (18 goals/16 assists) – more than for any other club.
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Steffen on his relationship with VfL Wolfsburg: “The picture has clouded over the last few months”
Although Kohfeldt, who had to go on the sidelines after 28 games and a point average of 1.14, is no longer there next season and was replaced by Niko Kovac, Steffen’s relationship with the club has suffered. “I’ve always said: I feel very comfortable in Wolfsburg. But you have to say: the last six months have clouded the picture a bit,” said Steffen. “I’m a player who likes change. The trend today is towards very young players, very talented players. That’s why you have to discuss it with the club. If they say: We want something new, then that’s good for me. Then I’ll go a new way. Other than that, I still have a very nice year there and I’ll try to be as successful as possible. I would very much like to stay in the Bundesliga.”
However, the competition will be tough next year. In Steffen’s position, Wolfsburg have already announced the signings of Jakub Kaminski (for €10m from Lech Posen) and Patrick Wimmer (for €5m from Arminia Bielefeld) (on all Wolfsburg transfers for 2022/23).
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