Hecking remains loyal to Wolfsburg – now as managing director

Dieter Hecking is getting a second chance at VfL Wolfsburg – albeit in a changed role. As Süddeutsche.de reports, the long-time coach is staying with the Bundesliga-relegated club as managing director of sport. The 61-year-old is thus taking on a management position after Wolfsburg missed out on maintaining their league status under his leadership this season.

The decision signals that Wolfsburg's decision-makers are placing their trust in Hecking despite the sporting failure. Kicker reports that the experienced executive has the task of restructuring the club and preparing for promotion. Hecking brings extensive experience from his time as a coach – he knows the club's structures and the squad.

Wolfsburg follows Hannover pattern

Wolfsburg is thus following a similar pattern to Hannover 96. Bundesliga.com documents that Jonas Boldt is also taking on the mission of promotion as the new managing director of sport at the Lower Saxony club. Both clubs are betting on promoting their previous leaders to new positions in order to organize their return to the top division.

Hecking coached Wolfsburg in the past season and had to witness the relegation. Now he is to orchestrate the return to the top flight from the management office. The promotion shows that Wolfsburg's leadership believes in Hecking's abilities – but in future more in the administrative than in the tactical sphere.