Despite another expensive summer transfer window, VfL Wolfsburg are once again failing to turn star power into points in the Bundesliga table. The latest league loss, a 3-1 away defeat at FC Augsburg, leaves the Autostadter with just one win through six Bundesliga matchdays. Instead of competing for a European spot, the German Wolves enter the October international break just above the relegation zone.

All professionals associated with the Wolfsburg project have expressed their dissatisfaction with the team’s form following yesterday’s loss. An editorial published by highly respected German football journalist Thomas Hiete of Kicker strongly asserts that the VfL front office has once again failed to put together a coherent project. Danish managing director Peter Christiansen, now in office for 15 months, does not appear to be succeeding in his task.

Yesterday’s passive and lethargic performance was labeled “anemic” by VfL right back Kilian Fischer. Head coach Paul Simonis and VfL sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz concurred with this assessment.

Hiete questions whether Christiansen’s call for a Wolfsburg brand of exciting and thrilling football can be achieved with an eager-to-please rookie coach. “That was not enough in all areas,” Schindzielorz remarked in the mixed zone after the match. “There was only one team on the pitch that wanted to win, and that was Augsburg.”

“There must never be a lack of intensity or energy,” added a perplexed and angry-looking Simonis during the post-match press conference. “Those things should be easy to achieve.”

Hiete writes that dangerous symptoms are emerging in Wolfsburg—symptoms typical of a relegation candidate. Christiansen has made no visible progress with his plans, leaving the question: what does Wolfsburg actually stand for?

The editorial references specific new acquisitions from the summer transfer market who are not being used properly by Simonis. Chief among these is the €18 million Sheffield United signing Vinicius Souza. Hiete argues that Souza is being wasted as an attacking midfielder, merely to avoid encroaching on VfL captain Maximilian Arnold’s preferred position.

Observers see the Brazilian as a classic defensive midfielder who, with his strength in one-on-one situations in front of the defense, could be of great value to the team. However, because he cannot displace captain Arnold, Simonis is resorting to a lazy compromise—positioning Vinicius Souza more offensively as a link-up player, which only partially fits his profile.

Hiete also questions why German left back Aaron Zehnter, after a conspicuously strong start, has been replaced by Danish fullback/winger Joakim Maehle. Maehle’s versatility means he can play in various positions, but there seems to be no strong case for phasing out Zehnter.

Furthermore, there is evidence that other Danish players such as Jonas Wind, Christian Eriksen, and Adam Daghim are being favored over more qualified players. Deadline day additions Sael Kumbendi and Jenson Seelt are either barely used or not used at all.

Is the inexperienced Simonis trying too hard to impress his Danish managing director? Did Christiansen and Schindzielorz hire someone too eager to placate players and bosses, and too cautious to construct his own project?

“It’s by no means bad luck or coincidence that Wolfsburg has only picked up two points since their opening day win against Heidenheim,” Hiete writes. Time and again, serious individual errors destabilize the team’s fragile structure, and Simonis opens himself up to criticism with his personnel selections.
https://www.getfootballnewsgermany.com/2025/paul-simonis-takes-heat-in-the-german-press-as-peter-christiansens-wolfsburg-project-once-again-stalls/