VfL Wolfsburg
In a surprise move Martin Schmidt has stepped down as head coach of German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg with immediate effect.
The Swiss tactician informed VfL managing director Dr. Tim Schumacher, sporting director Olaf Rebbe and the board of directors of his decision on Monday morning. Schmidt said he wanted to make way for the club to improve their current sporting situation by installing a new coach to bring fresh impetus to the side. Furthermore, he wished to relieve the increasing public pressure on the club and himself. Following intensive discussions, VfL ultimately accepted his resignation, but VfL Wolfsburg expressly regrets Schmidt’s decision.
“Internally we were all of the firm belief that we would turn things around together,” stressed Schumacher. “That’s why this move from Martin Schmidt came to us as a surprise that we hadn’t predicted, especially as we can’t fully comprehend his motives. We thank Martin Schmidt for his work and wish him all the best both in his career and private life,” added the VfL managing director.
Sporting director Olaf Rebbe commented, “Martin Schmidt wants his resignation to pave the way for VfL to ensure survival as soon as possible with a new head coach. We would’ve liked to have achieved this target with him, but we couldn’t dissuade him from his decision. We have to respect this firm stance, although I have to admit it disappoints me – particularly as he was the coach we wanted for the club. We now turn our attentions to the game against Mainz on Friday.”
Martin Schmidt had only joined VfL Wolfsburg in September 2017 as a replacement for Andries Jonker. He had been in charge of 19 Bundesliga matches, only won three matches, drew 11 and lost five matches.
Tuesday’s training session has been rescheduled for 16:00h CET. VfL will announce who will lead the session during the day on Tuesday.