Update
Eleven winless games in a row
Struggling VfL Wolfsburg separates from coach Kovac
March 17, 2024, 9:50 a.m
Niko Kovac is no longer the coach of Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg. The club throws the coach out after the eleventh game without a win in a row. The relegation zone is significantly closer than the targeted international places.
VfL Wolfsburg has parted ways with coach Niko Kovac. The Bundesliga club confirmed this after there had previously been consistent media reports. On Saturday, Kovac and his team lost 3-1 at home against FC Augsburg.
“After the defeat against FC Augsburg, we came to the decision to end the cooperation after internally analyzing the game and our overall situation,” said managing director Marcel Schäfer. “We regret the development and believe it is necessary to give the team a new impetus in order to stabilize the situation. We would like to express our thanks for the cooperation and wish Niko Kovac, his brother Robert and Aaron Briggs all the best in their private and professional lives .”
Wolfsburg did not win any of the last eleven league games under Kovac, and with 25 points from the 26 games of the season, VfL is now closer to the relegation zone than to the international places they are aiming for. Possible successor candidates include former Bundesliga coach Ralph Hasenhüttl (most recently FC Southampton) and Matthias Jaissle (Al-Ahli), who are currently without a club.
Kovac had a contract with Lower Saxony until 2025. The former Bayern coach moved to Wolfsburg in 2022 with high expectations. In his first season he missed out on a Europa League place with the club due to a home defeat on the last matchday against relegated Hertha BSC. In the second season there was no further sporting development. VfL has only won two of the last 20 league games.
There are 6 wins and 13 defeats this season. The factory club suffered its third defeat in a row against Augsburg, and 14th place in the table is clearly not enough for Wolfsburg’s high standards. The lead over the relegation place shrank to six points thanks to FSV Mainz 05’s win against Bochum.
“Of course, as head coach, I am particularly disappointed that we were not able to achieve a turnaround despite promising approaches,” said Kovac: “We wish the team, the entire club and its fans the very best for the rest of the season and for the future.”