Wolfsburg Welcomes Simonis: New Coach Set to Revolutionize the Bundesliga Team
Surprise Victory in Debut for Wolfsburg's New Head Coach
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link VFL Wolfsburg has bagged a fresh face for their coaching position. Dutchman Paul Simonis, the prodigious coach who recently orchestrated an astounding triumph with Go Ahead Eagles Deventer, will take the helm. The 40-year-old coach will sign a two-year contract with the esteemed Bundesliga club.
A surprising champion in the Netherlands, Paul Simonis is about to embark on a new chapter with VfL Wolfsburg. In his homeland, he masterfully directed Go Ahead Eagles Deventer to their first title since 1933. After negotiations of impressive magnitude, Simonis has penned a deal with the club that lasts until June 30, 2027.
"Paul has all the right qualities to lead us forward," enthused Wolfsburg's sporting director, Peter Christiansen. "He is a skilled, meticulous coach who mirrors our vision for the future and aims to restore Wolfsburg's dominance on the field."
A Fairytale Run to the Cup Victory
Simonis will officially present himself to the fans in July. His coaching team will include remarkable figures like Pascal Formann, Tristan Berghuis, Peter van der Veen, and Martin Darneviel. As Ralph Hasenhuettl's successor, Simonis will be the 11th coach of Wolves over the past decade.
A Squad in Need of Rebuilding
After missing out on a spot in an international competition for the fourth consecutive season, Simonis has been entrusted with resurrecting the glory days of Volkswagen Club. With Peter Christiansen and Sporting Director Sebastian Schindzielorz by his side, he is set to tackle the challenging task of bringing success and continuity back to this iconic club. Five players have already announced their departure, and the futures of key players like Mohammed Amoura, Jonas Wind, and Lukas Nmecha remain uncertain.
Simonis, however, embodies confidence. "I am thrilled to join forces with Peter Christiansen, Sebastian Schindzielorz, and Sebastian Rudolph," he expressed in an official statement. "Our discussions were inspiring, and I am convinced that this move is the right decision for me."
A Metoric Rise to Glory
Although the spotlight does not often shine on Paul Simonis, he has been steadily climbing the ranks of the football world. Despite having no professional playing experience, Simonis has been coaching in various capacities since 2005. He spent 15 years with Sparta Rotterdam, before mastering youth football roles with Go Ahead Eagles and SC Heerenveen. In 2024, after the departure of René Hake, Simonis was promoted to Go Ahead Eagles' head coach.
His first season as a headcoach was nothing short of legendary. Simonis guided the provincial club to a seventh-place finish in the Dutch Eredivisie and set a new club record for the best finish since 1970. With German professionals Luca Plogmann and Gerrit Nauber as part of his team, he outsmarted favorites AZ Alkmaar in the cup final via a nail-biting penalty shootout.
A veteran of the garage, Simonis was not initially considered a front-runner for the Wolfsburg job. For a time, Danish coach Jacop Neestrup was seen as the favorite. However, disputes over his release from FC Copenhagen ultimately secured the position for Simonis.
Source: ntv.de, tno/dpa
Insights
In his debut season as a head coach, Simonis led Go Ahead Eagles to a historic victory. He has previously played a significant role as an assistant coach under Kees van Wonderen at SC Heerenveen and Go Ahead Eagles. With a two-year contract in hand, he will join Wolfsburg with the goal of rekindling the club's glory days.
Simonis, the newly appointed coach for VfL Wolfsburg, aims to revitalize the club's dominance on the field, as he embarks on a mission to bring success and continuity back to the iconic German Bundesliga club. Meanwhile, the community of sports enthusiasts in Wolfsburg and beyond might also look forward to his contributions in the development of sports, particularly football, in the regions.
