*Update*: Wolfsburg signs Glatzel and plans squad overhaul for 2. Bundesliga

VfL Wolfsburg is not wasting time. Barely is Dieter Hecking's new role as sporting director official when the club is already working on concrete transfers for the 2. Bundesliga. kicker reports that HSV striker Robert Glatzel is to switch to Wolfsburg as a goalscorer. The experienced forward knows the second tier well and is considered ideal reinforcement for the promotion project.

Hecking himself is intensively working on the new squad according to Süddeutsche Zeitung. The 61-year-old, who descended to the 2. Bundesliga as a trainer and is now to organize the promotion as manager, faces a comprehensive task: According to information from the club's environment, the squad will change significantly – both departures and targeted new signings are planned.

Race between Wolfsburg and Hannover

Remarkable in this regard is the comparison with Hannover 96, the other Lower Saxony second-tier club. Hannoversche Allgemeine reports that Hecking and Jonas Boldt – the new sporting director at Hannover – are united by an almost identical mission: both are to lead their clubs back to the Bundesliga immediately, both know from previous positions what it feels like to miss this goal. The race to the top flight between Wolfsburg and Hannover promises to be one of the most exciting subplots of the coming 2. Bundesliga season.

In Hannover, Boldt officially begins this Monday and, according to reports, plans a significant squad overhaul – Hannover 96 wants to shrink and strengthen strategically. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, is relying on an experienced goalscorer as a signal: with Glatzel, VfL would bring in a player who scores regularly in the 2. Bundesliga and brings leadership qualities.

Unusual promotion after relegation

That Hecking was not dismissed after relegation but promoted is unusual in football. Süddeutsche Zeitung comments that in many cases the trainer must leave after a relegation – at VfL Wolfsburg he was instead made the strong man in management. Whether this trust is justified will be shown in the coming season.