Bundesliga News

Wolfsburg sack Mark van Bommel

By Peter Weis   @PeterVicey

The 2021/22 German Bundesliga's first coaching sacking is now official. 

VfL Wolfsburg announced that, after a run of eight fixtures without a win, Mark van Bommel would be released. 
Mark van Bommel.
Mark van Bommel.
VfL Wolfsburg Sporting CEO Jörg Schmadtke has opted to pull the plug on his rookie trainer. Mark van Bommel's first head-coaching assignment lasted just 13 matches. The former Bayern standout's return to the Bundesliga proved quite the rollercoaster ride.


Following an inauspicious debut in which a substitution error cost his team their opening round win, van Bommel led Germany's green company team to a perfect league start that saw them top the table heading into the September international break.

A string of eight fixtures without a win--accompanied by some highly questionable tactics in recent weeks--nevertheless proved too much for the VfL front office to bear. Schmadtke, silent during yesterday's post-match interviews, explained his decision in a statement.

"The bottom line is that there were more divergent factors than unifying ones," Schmadtke noted, "The conviction to get out of the difficult sporting situation in which we find ourselves was lacking and that's what led us to the decision to end our cooperation. We wish Mark all the best in his personal and professional life."

"I am surprised and disappointed by the decision because I was convinced that we could turn it around together and get back on a winning track," van Bommel said in his own statement, "I hope the team can manage to turn things around as quickly as possible."

Eliminated from the Pokal after the substitution error, Wolfsburg do not have a midweek match to concern themselves with. At present, there is no word yet as to who will coach the team next weekend against Leverkusen.


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