Wolfsburg’s Decline
Wolfsburg is currently in 17th place, just above the bottom and four points away from the relegation play-off spot. They are also 15 points from direct safety.
It’s surprising to see the club in this position, especially considering their strong financial backing from Volkswagen. Wolfsburg has been in the Bundesliga since their promotion in 1997.
They have won one Bundesliga title (2009) and one DFB Pokal title (2015).
In 2016, they made it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, where they lost to Real Madrid, despite winning the first leg.
The coach behind their recent successes, Dieter Hecking, has come out of retirement to help the team avoid relegation.
Apart from the coaching changes, there have been other personnel shifts at the club. Sporting director Pirmin Schwegler joined this winter and will collaborate closely with Hecking to keep the team safe.
The team’s struggles stem from costly mistakes made by the management.
Wolfsburg features talented players like Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, Croatian international Lovro Majer, and Algerian striker Mohamed Amoura.
Other Teams in the Relegation Fight
Other teams in the Bundesliga relegation battle include FC St. Pauli, Mainz 05, 1. FC Köln, Werder Bremen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Union Berlin, and Hamburger SV.
Mainz faces the challenge of competing in the UEFA Conference League, but the momentum gained with their new coach, Urs Fischer, and some smart January signings may work in their favor.
Momentum can significantly impact relegation battles in football.
Union and Köln should be cautious, as they have recently found themselves in the relegation zone.
This does not guarantee relegation for them, as the battle will continue throughout the season.