Wolfsburg headed into the 2025–26 Bundesliga season with a mix of curiosity and cautious hope. After last year’s 11th-place finish, which felt flat and uninspiring, the club has rolled the dice on a new boss. Step forward Paul Simonis, a name not many outside the Netherlands will know – but one who could turn out to be a very clever appointment, especially after a solid 3-1 opening day win against Heidenheim.
Simonis takes over from Ralph Hasenhüttl, who couldn’t quite get things going. The Dutchman has had a steady rise, spending 15 years at Sparta Rotterdam developing youth players before moving into senior roles. He was assistant at Go Ahead Eagles and then Heerenveen under Kees van Wonderen, before finally getting his chance to lead a side last season. And what a season it was: not only did Go Ahead Eagles finish seventh in the Eredivisie, but they also lifted the KNVB Cup after beating AZ in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout. That triumph has given him a reputation as a coach who can get the most out of his players. Wolfsburg could do with exactly that.
Looking at the squad, there’s definitely quality to work with. Lovro Majer is the one everyone wants to see back to his best. Injuries ruined his 2024–25, but when fit he’s the type of midfielder who makes the game look easy – calm on the ball, sharp with his passing, and dangerous from set pieces. If he stays fit, Wolfsburg’s midfield will feel a different place.
Patrick Wimmer is another who can step up. He wasn’t bad last season – four goals and five assists is fine – but you always feel he’s got more in him. Better end product and smarter choices in the final third could make him a real difference-maker.
On the other side, Andreas Skov Olsen is one to watch. He joined in January from Club Brugge and only managed a single goal last term. But he’s already matched that on the opening day this season against Heidenheim, which is the perfect way for a forward to start a campaign. Confidence is everything.
And then there’s Jonas Wind. He may have been on the bench at Heidenheim last week given current contractual issues, but make no mistake: without his 13 goals last year, Wolfsburg might have been staring at a relegation fight. He’s still central to everything they do up front, if he stays.
Yet the most exciting option might just be Mohamed Amoura, although he is currently being strongly linked with a move to Benfica. Ten goals and ten assists in his debut Bundesliga season — not bad at all. At times he looked a level above, and if he can find even more consistency, Wolfsburg could have a real star on their hands, and will rightly demand a big fee if they are to sell before the deadline.
There’s fresh blood too. Vini Souza arrived from Sheffield United for £15 million and should add bite in midfield. Youngster Aaron Zehnter cost £4.5 million from Paderborn and feels like one for the future, though he may get chances sooner than later, as he did on the opening day against Heidenheim. Jesper Lindstrøm is in on loan from Napoli, though he’s injured at the moment, which delays his impact.
The big worry? Defence. The squad looks light at the back, and if Simonis can’t bring in reinforcements, it might cost them. Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford is one being linked with a move.
Still, this feels like a fresh start. Wolfsburg aren’t ready to trouble the top four, but if Simonis can get Majer firing, Wimmer and Skov Olsen delivering, and Amoura sparkling again, then a top-half finish – maybe even sniffing around Europe – is absolutely possible.
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Image sourced from Wikimedia.
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