The VfL Wolfsburg Files
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04 Personae

Personae Non Gratae — VfL Wolfsburg

Felix Magath, the unsuccessful god-emperor, Episode II: after a spell at Schalke he returned to Wolfsburg, but this second coming could not reproduce the magic of the first.

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Away 45.8% 2.08

Personae Non Gratae

Felix Magath, the unsuccessful god-emperor, Episode II: afte...

Felix Magath, the unsuccessful god-emperor, Episode II: after a spell at Schalke he returned to Wolfsburg, but this second coming could not reproduce the magic of the first.

Felix Magath, the unsuccessful god-emperor, Episode II: after a spell at Schalke he returned to Wolfsburg, but this second coming could not reproduce the magic of the first. Complaints from players such as Marcel Schäfer supposedly played a role, and after the worst start in club history he was dismissed in October 2012. To this day Magath divides the city. Some still worship the title coach; others see a nasty little bully who lost his way late in his career.

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Diego, the disloyal one: the Brazilian joined from

Diego, the disloyal one: the Brazilian joined from Turin for 15 million euros in 2010 and made 77 appearances, scoring 19 goals.

Turin for 15 million euros in 2010 and made 77 appearances, scoring 19 goals. On the final day of 2010/11, with Wolfsburg only one point clear of the drop zone, he left the team hotel without a word after learning he would not start. He was fined and formally reprimanded, and the trust between him and Magath never recovered.

That ego trip effectively ended his Bundesliga career.

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Stefan Effenberg, the overweight one: on April 2,

Stefan Effenberg, the overweight one: on April 2, 2003 he left Wolfsburg after only 19 appearances, just as suddenly as he had arrived.

2003 he left Wolfsburg after only 19 appearances, just as suddenly as he had arrived. Coach Jürgen Röber granted him no privileges and assistant Bernd Storck found him too heavy and unfit at 90 kilos. Effenberg was outraged and later claimed Röber still had to learn how to deal with certain players.

Hamburg’s Cheffe and Wolfsburg were a mismatch par excellence.

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DFL Licence Check

WOB · FY 2023-24
Equity positive
€76.4M
Pass
Equity ratio > 30%
26%
+-4.0 pts margin
Liabilities < 50%
71.4%
-21.4 pts margin
Full balance sheet →

Personae Non Gratae — Update 2020–2026

Mark van Bommel lasted just 13 games as VfL coach — despite inheriting a side that had just reached the Champions League.

Mark van Bommel lasted just 13 games as

Mark van Bommel lasted just 13 games as VfL coach — despite inheriting a side that had just reached the Champions League.

VfL coach — despite inheriting a side that had just reached the Champions League. His tactical rigidity and communication problems led to a swift split.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the most controversial figures at Wolfsburg?
VfL Wolfsburg has also experienced controversial personalities — people who harmed or divided the club.
Which players fell from grace at Wolfsburg?
From forced departures to public feuds — the unwanted figures in the club's history.
Were there major controversies at Wolfsburg?
The biggest personal controversies at VfL Wolfsburg are examined in this chapter.
What does Personae Non Gratae cover?
Felix Magath, the unsuccessful god-emperor, Episode II: after a spell at Schalke he returned to Wolfsburg, but this second coming could not reproduce the magic of the first.
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