Without a club since the summer
Florian Kohfeldt cannot fully understand the reasons for the separation more than half a year after his departure as a coach from VfL Wolfsburg. This was “totally surprising” for him, “but also for others, including those responsible for sport,” said the 40-year-old to “kicker”. VfL had released Kohfeldt from his duties after the end of last season, although he had led the club to stay in the class after a difficult season.
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For Kohfeldt, who took over the post at VfL from the hapless Mark van Bommel at the end of October 2021, the end of the time together was “never indicated,” he emphasized. Instead, he and the then sports director Jörg Schmadtke and sports director Marcel Schäfer even planned the new season. Kohfeldt still doesn’t know exactly “why the decision ultimately turned out that way”.
He also said: “After a certain time I spoke to everyone involved again, we shook hands. The decision itself is legitimate. And when would have been a better time to tell me? Certainly not the day before the game either.” Kohfeldt looked after VfL in 28 games and scored an average of 1.14 points per game, which was last undercut by Valérien Ismaël in the club’s history during the 2016/17 season.
Kohfeldt is currently without a club. But there were inquiries, he said: “I would have liked to have accepted one of them, from a first division club abroad, I’m quite honest. Unfortunately, the club decided otherwise in the end. Otherwise, there wasn’t anything suitable.” Based on his recent experiences, he would consider “very carefully” what he would like to do.
Kohfeldt said of his requirements: “I can work best when everyone involved is committed to speed and combination football. In addition to success, the focus should be on developing young players. And I want to have a productive effect on the atmosphere between the team, staff and the whole club. The professionals don’t form an island, they have to be part of the club and have an impact on its culture.
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