Struggling Wolfsburg turns to golden-era coach Dieter Hecking

by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Dieter Hecking's return comes with heavy expectations and familiar memories.

The 61-year-old is back at VfL Wolfsburg as the coach who won the 2015 German Cup and Supercup, but this time the task is different.

Wolfsburg announced Hecking's appointment Sunday evening after head coach Daniel Bauer and CEO Peter Christiansen were dismissed earlier in the day. Hecking is the club's third coach this season as it tries to halt a slide that has left it facing a relegation fight.

"Dieter Hecking comes with the experience we currently need," sporting director Pirmin Schwegler said.

Schwegler pointed to Hecking's knowledge of the Bundesliga and the club's structures.

"We are convinced his calmness and expertise will lead to the stability we need to secure the first tier," Schwegler said.

With nine league games remaining in the 2025-26 campaign, the challenge is to avoid Wolfsburg's first relegation since its promotion to the top flight in 1997.

Hecking, who led Wolfsburg through one of the most successful periods in its history between 2013 and 2016 and guided the club into the UEFA Champions League, is expected to focus on a short-term rescue mission through the end of the season.

Tension has risen sharply around the 2009 German champion after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Hamburger SV. Fans burned shirts, flags and scarves, while players sat on the pitch in visible frustration.

Wolfsburg announced the changes after an emergency meeting Saturday, ahead of Sunday's training session.

With the club now focused on staying up, it is trying to avoid finishing 16th, which would mean a two-legged playoff against the third-place team from the second division.

"Analyzing our situation, we concluded that the team needs a new impulse to secure the first division participation," Schwegler said.

Hecking's first match back will be away to Hoffenheim.

"Facts are clear. It's nine finals for us over the upcoming weeks," captain Maximilian Arnold said. Arnold added that players, fans and staff are struggling with frustration.

Arnold said the situation can still be turned around.

"It's on us to turn things around. We can, it's still time to make it," he said. ■