Magath Eyed as Firefighter for Wolfsburg

VfL Wolfsburg is internally discussing a potential return for Felix Magath, the coach who led the club to its first Bundesliga title in 2009, according to reports. The 72-year-old is being considered as a short-term solution to address the club’s current sporting crisis.

Magath could reportedly envision taking on the role of a “firefighter” – a coach brought in to stabilize the team – but likely only until the end of the season.

Key Supporters Within the Club

The move reportedly has support from two members of the supervisory board: Volkswagen boss Oliver Blume and former goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, who was part of the championship-winning team under Magath in 2009.

Magath previously demonstrated his ability to stabilize struggling teams, most recently saving Hertha BSC from relegation in 2022.

Current Situation Fuels the Discussion

The consideration of Magath comes amid a challenging period for Wolfsburg. Following a 2:3 loss against FC Augsburg, the club finds itself deep in the Bundesliga table, level on points with the relegation zone.

The recent change of coach from Paul Simonis to Daniel Bauer has not yielded the desired results. Bauer has collected twelve points from thirteen games, but the team has only managed one point from their last five matches.

Managing director Peter Christiansen has publicly backed Bauer, stating there is no coaching discussion, but the upcoming away game against VfB Stuttgart (Sunday, 3:30 p.m.) is seen as a crucial test.

Bauer’s Position Remains, For Now

Bauer will remain on the sidelines for the time being. However, a continuation of the current downward trend could prompt Wolfsburg to reconsider and turn to a familiar face in Felix Magath.

Historical Context: Wolfsburg’s 2009 Triumph

The potential return of Magath evokes memories of Wolfsburg’s historic 2008-09 season. Manager Felix Magath formed an attacking lineup featuring Edin Džeko and Grafite, who combined to score 54 goals. Zvjezdan Misimović contributed significantly with 20 assists. The team secured their first-ever Bundesliga title that season.

“Noch heute spricht man mich überall auf das Tor an, egal ob in Asien, Südamerika, zu Hause in Brasilien immer, und erst recht, wenn ich nach Deutschland komme,”

Grafite, recalling his famous heel-flick goal against Bayern Munich

FAQ

• Who is Felix Magath? A German football manager and former player who led VfL Wolfsburg to their first Bundesliga title in 2009.
• Why is Wolfsburg considering Magath? The club is facing a sporting crisis and is looking for a coach to stabilize the team.
• What is Daniel Bauer’s current record? Bauer has collected twelve points from thirteen games but has only one point from the last five.