The dismissal of Paul Simonis as head coach on Sunday evening has laid bare the chronic instability at VfL Wolfsburg. The decision followed a 2-1 defeat at Werder Bremen, a result that marked a seventh loss in eight matches across all competitions and left the club adrift, searching for direction.
The nature of the decisive goal in Bremen—a bizarre, looping assist from Victor Boniface that fell for Samuel Mbangula to volley home in stoppage time—somehow felt symbolic for Wolfsburg’s current state. It cemented a peculiar statistic: Simonis became the third Bundesliga manager this season to be dismissed immediately after a loss to Werder Bremen.
The defeat will have been particularly galling given the playful yet pointed social media campaign run by Bremen in the lead-up to the match, which questioned Wolfsburg’s distinct identity by highlighting superficial similarities between the clubs. In a league where tradition and authenticity are prized, such barbs strike a nerve.
The fundamental question for Wolfsburg is what defines them. Since their remarkable and singular Bundesliga title win in 2009, powered by the iconic strike partnership of Edin Dzeko and Grafite, the club has struggled to build a sustained identity or capture the neutral imagination. Despite consistent financial investment from parent company Volkswagen, a revolving door of managers has prevented any long-term project from taking root. High-profile appointments like Niko Kovac and Ralph Hasenhüttl have come and gone, with even the successful Oliver Glasner departing shortly after securing Champions League football in 2021.
Simonis, who arrived with just one year of senior management experience after a cup win with Go Ahead Eagles, lasted only ten league games. While his tenure was brief, the issues run deeper than the dugout. The squad, expensively assembled by sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz and CEO Peter Christiansen, appears unbalanced, with questions over several signings. Speculation now suggests the executive leadership could be the next to depart.
In the interim, under-19 coach Daniel Bauer has been placed in charge “until further notice,” a scenario reminiscent of Eugen Polanski’s temporary-but-extended tenure at Borussia Mönchengladbach. A major structural overhaul seems inevitable, potentially consigning Wolfsburg to a season of struggle as they attempt to redefine their purpose in a modern Bundesliga landscape.
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga:
Bayern Munich’s perfect start to the season ended, but Harry Kane’s 93rd-minute equaliser salvaged a draw at Union Berlin. Borussia Dortmund conceded a last-gasp equaliser at Hamburg, while RB Leipzig lost at Hoffenheim but held onto second place. Bayer Leverkusen continued their formidable form with a 6-0 thrashing of Heidenheim, with teenager Ibrahim Maza seizing his opportunity with a brace.