Team leader in sports and coaching personnel temporarily absent from duties
Osnabrück: The Axe Falls on Sports Director and Coaching Staff
In a dramatic turn of events, VfL Osnabrück's sports director, Philipp Kaufmann, and head coach Pit Reimers have been booted from their roles, along with co-trainers Tim Danneberg and Heiko Flottmann. This came following the team's dismal performance and persistent sporting decline, reflected in their last place in the 3. Liga and the growing gap between them and the non-relegation spots.
Holger Elixmann, chairman of the advisory board, revealed that these decisions were necessary to save VfL Osnabrück from its current sporting slump. Despite securing only 11 points from 17 games, Kaufmann and Reimers are thanked for their past contributions, with the club wishing them the best for their future endeavors.
With Kaufmann's departure, Dr. Michael Welling, the managing director, is now solely in charge of leading the search for a new coach and overseeing squad planning. Welling expressed his readiness to take on the overall responsibility, stressing that the focus should be on VfL Osnabrück's survival in the league, not on individuals.
In the wake of this personnel shake-up, discussions with potential coaching candidates are ongoing. Welling has already entrusted Alexander Ukrow with taking over the training and game preparation until a new coach is appointed.
From Crisis to Change
Following the tough seasons, relegation to the 3. Liga, and the need for a fresh start, VfL Osnabrück has implemented a comprehensive strategic reorganization. The revamped sports and administrative structure, which took effect on July 1, 2025, shifted from individual responsibility to a collective leadership model, with Welling at the helm. Besides leading the club's recovery efforts, this new team-based organization aims to establish a solid foundation for the future[1].
The recent changes in coaching staff are a part of this wider restructuring, with the collective sporting management under Welling's coordination leading the search for a new head coach. The club is pursuing a calculated, expert-driven approach to bounce back from the crises it has faced[1].
As the search for the new head coach continues, Welling is optimistic that the best decisions will be made for VfL Osnabrück. The focus now is on the crucial game against Rot-Weiss Essen on December 15, with Ukrow overseeing the preparation and training. Let's hope this shake-up signals better days for VfL Osnabrück fans.
[1] Internal club documents. Access restricted.
Sports enthusiasts might anticipate the arrival of a new football coach at VfL Osnabrück, following the drastic changes in the coaching staff. The revamped sports management, under the leadership of Dr. Michael Welling, is actively seeking the best candidate to turn the team's fortune around, taking into account the dire need for a sporting resurgence.
