Wolfsburg sack coach Bauer amid relegation struggle

VfL Wolfsburg dismissed head coach Daniel Bauer and managing director for sport Peter Christiansen as the Bundesliga club reacted to its worsening relegation situation, with German media reporting that Dieter Hecking is expected to take over as head coach.

Head coach of VfL Wolfsburg Daniel Bauer gestures during the German first division of Bundesliga football match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and VfL Wolfsburg in Moenchengladbach, Germany, Dec. 13, 2025. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)

Bauer was released from his duties on Sunday morning after a brief spell in charge that had begun on an interim basis in November following the departure of Paul Simonis. The 43-year-old was confirmed as head coach in December, having previously worked in several roles within the Wolfsburg academy since 2016. Under Bauer, Wolfsburg collected 12 points from 15 matches this season, leaving the team in a precarious position near the bottom of the standings.

"We have hoped to turn things around together. In analysing the overall situation, we have come to the conclusion that we need to give the team a new impulse in order to secure survival," said sporting director Pirmin Schwegler.

The club's supervisory board also removed Christiansen from his post as managing director for sport. The 51-year-old Dane had held the position since 2024 but left with Wolfsburg under increasing pressure in the fight against relegation.

"We thank Peter for his great commitment to VfL Wolfsburg. As managing director for sport, he successfully managed the personnel restructuring in the women's football department together with our sporting leadership. In the men's team, however, the sporting results were lacking. Therefore, we decided to end the cooperation," said supervisory board chairman Dr. Sebastian Rudolph.

German media reported that Wolfsburg intend to bring back Hecking, who guided the club to the DFB-Pokal title and a runners-up finish in the Bundesliga in 2015, before being dismissed in October 2016.

Wolfsburg's latest setback came in a 2-1 home defeat against Hamburger SV. With nine matches remaining, the team sits 17th in the table on 20 points, two points behind the relegation playoff place currently occupied by Werder Bremen on 22 points, while the gap to safety stands at three points with FC St. Pauli in 15th place on 23. Wolfsburg has collected only two points in the second half of the season and lost six of its last seven matches.