"Fach is our ideal choice"

Wolfsburg - VfL Wolfsburg officially introduced Holger Fach as the new coach of the Wolves at a press conference Thursday in the VOLKSWAGEN ARENA.  VfL manager Thomas Strunz assured the journalists in attendance that, contrary to reports in the media, the hiring of the former Gladbacher coach was not a compromise. "It came down to two candidates. We made a clear decision in favor of Holger Fach. He is not our second choice, but our ideal choice", said Strunz. The other candidate was Aachen’s current coach, Dieter Hecking.

Also present at the press conference was Michael Oenning, who will work for Fach in Wolfsburg as assistant coach. Fach and Oenning know each other from the time they shared working for Borussia Mönchengladbach. The two friends respect each others’ work:  "Our concepts of soccer are identical", explained Oenning. Fach praised his assistant: "I’m impressed with his abilities. He knows the youth section of the DFB from Effeff. Oenning is loyal. It was clear that he would accompany me at my new coaching position." A consultation with the previous assistant coach Reinhard Stumpf will take place this week. "I think we’ll find a satisfactory solution for both sides," said Strunz.

The bar must be set higher

The new "alpha wolf" of the green-and-white announced that he would place emphasis on achieving goals: "The bar must be set higher than what was achieved in the past. Of  course there are seven or eight other teams with a similar orientation, but we’re in a good position to fulfill our goals", said Fach. The most important thing right now is to establish a regular training routine as soon as possible. Things will heat up again on the 2nd or 3rd of  July, when the Wolves play the winner of the game between the FC Rangers and Sturm Graz in the second round of the UI Cup. Fach made clear what his ambitions are for this competition: "When you have the chance to enter the UEFA championship, you should take it."

On June 22 the pros will meet again to get prepare themselves for the UI Cup and for the new season. Some of the Wolves will not be in attendance, however, because their assignment to play in World Cup qualifying games allows them to take a longer vacation. It is not yet one hundred percent certain who will be present at the start of training.

Fach and Strunz will go to Argentina

One of Fach’s first acts as head coach will be to seek a personal meeting with Andres D'Alessandro. To this end the coach will travel to Argentinia this weekend along with Strunz. "I’d like to establish contact with D'Alessandro as soon as possible, in order to speak to him in person. He has the right to explain his view of events", says Fach. The Argentinian midfield director has strongly criticized Strunz, according to reports. Fach continues: "I will also try to establish contact with all the players on the current squad." The coach does not want to get in touch with his predecessor, Erik Gerets, however. "The past should be left behind", explained Fach.

In addition to Fach und Oenning, the VfL team has also acquired a new trainer, Markus Zetlmeisl, and a new physiotherapist, Christian Schneider. Schneider has already massaged the calves of Stefan Schnoor and Co. under Wolfgang Wolf, and is now returning from his private practice. Zetlmeisl was most recently in the service of Borussia Dortmund.

Following the press conference Fach received his company car: the 42-year old will be driving a Touareg V10 TDI (230 kw). The color: black magic pearl.