Paul Simonis’ reported on dismissal from VfL Wolfsburg is official. The Bundesliga outfit confirmed on Sunday evening that Wolfsburg U19 head coach Daniel Bauer will assume control of the team for now. Bauer has already coached the German Wolves on an interim basis, working the touchline in the final two league fixtures last season after Ralph Hasenhüttl’s released. 

Wolfsburg managing director Peter Christiansen – who himself indicated that he may not remain with the club after this weekend – was the one to release the official club statement. Coaches linked with the Wolfsburg position include Urs Fischer and Tim Walter, as well as formerly successful VfL front-man Bruno Labbadia.

Christiansen did not absolve himself and sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz of responsibility in his statement. Moreover, the 50-year-old Danish manager seemed to indicate that he and the administrative team would be taking their time looking for a replacement. Another failed appointment would surely spell the end for Christiansen and Schinzielorz as well. 

“The decision to release Paul Simonis was not an easy one for us,” Christiansen noted in his club statement. “We greatly appreciated his work, his ideas, and his interaction with the team. This step is personally painful for me. We all bear responsibility for the current situation: the sporting management, the coaching team, the players, and the entire club.”

“We are glad that Daniel Bauer is taking over during a difficult phase,” Christiansen’s statement continued. “We know how he works and are convinced that, together with the team, he can take the necessary steps towards positive development.“