Audio: Wolfsburg introduces new coach Simonis (2 min)
Status: 01.07.2025 2:49 p.m.
VfL Wolfsburg presented its new coach on Tuesday. The 40 -year -old Dutchman Paul Simonis comes without too long boss trainer experience – but with great expectations of the club bosses. Some VfL fans already missed the nickname “Gouda Guardiola”.
The greeting took place bilingual. “Hartelijk Welkom, Paul Simonis!” It was as well as read in Dutch on the back wall of the press podium as well as the German translation. Meanwhile, the new head coach of VfL Wolfsburg radiated a lot of anticipation when he spoke about the motives for his change to the Bundesliga, his philosophy and his goals with the “wolves”.
After a German crash course in German with eight hours of lessons, the 40-year-old understood the questions of the media representatives in the foreign language. Simonis preferred to gave his answers in English.
Simonis: VfL Wolfsburg a “grandiose club”
He was “Surprised” when he received a call from VfL. “I had just started as head coach in the honorary division. If you have the opportunity after eleven months to work for a grandiose club in one of the largest leagues in the world, then it is a surprise,” said the coach.
Now the Bundesliga came, now Wolfsburg came: For me this is the perfect next step. “
Paul Simonis
Without any benefit as a player, trained as a physiotherapist, Simonis surprisingly won the Dutch Cup in his debut season as head coach with the Go Ahead Eagles from Deventer. It was the first title for the provincial club since 1933. Now he succeeds Ralph Hasenhüttl in Wolfsburg.
“This is a big step. You can say: that’s two or three steps at once. But I am ready for it and I can’t wait to get started. If you are given the opportunity to switch to one of the biggest competitions in the world after eleven months, then you have to jump on this train,” he said.
Ex-Bayern coach Guardiola the great role model
He named Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) as one of his great role models. “I really like Pep – not only because he looks a bit as I look. But I was bald before he became bald,” said Simonis with a wink when he was presented. He therefore likes his nickname “Gouda Guardiola” by some VfL fans.
High expectations after disappointing years
The expectations of Simonis are large at VfL. After ten different coaches in ten years and four disappointing Bundesliga season in a row, it should finally go up under him.
“In the past few years we have underperformed? So we have to make the changes now,” said sports manager Peter Christiansen. “We had several up -and -coming coaches with good ideas on our list. But we had the feeling that the best of them is Paul.”
Simonis signed a contract with VfL until June 30, 2027. Christiansen is already hoping for a longer stay: “I hope that he will be there even after his first contract period. This club needs that.”
Clarity as great strength
The new chief coach has a great strength: its clarity. In the analysis of players and opponents, in his offensive style of play, in his goals. In Wolfsburg he starts practically from zero. The 32-member squad is to be radically reduced. Several well -known players such as Jonas Wind, Mohammed Amoura or Patrick Wimmer could still leave the club. So far there are only two new additions. And even the big goal of European Cup is initially only given to one “but”.
“This dream, these ambitions will not change as long as I’m here,” said Christiansen. “But after two seasons with eleven and twelve place, everyone has to understand where we stand. It is about getting football. Get the whole club. With the right style of play, with the right methods, with the right cooperation in the club. This must work before we can be a favorite for international competition again.”
