The She-Wolves began their pre-season preparations at Elsterweg last week, with several new faces involved – both in terms of playing personnel and on the staff. High time, therefore, to introduce new head coach Stephan Lerch’s coaching team.
Stephan Lerch, head coach
The new man in the dugout will be a familiar name for most supporters, having previously worked with VfL Women between 2013 and 2021. The Darmstadt native started out with the reserves, then became assistant to Ralf Kellermann with the first team before taking over the reins himself in 2017.
During this time, the now 40-year-old won three German championships and four DFB Cups with VfL. He subsequently moved to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, where he was coach of a variety of teams, starting with the men’s U17s and U19s before taking charge of the women’s Bundesliga side and ending as their sporting director. Now he is back in Wolfsburg and raring to go again.
Philipp Arnold, assistant coach
Philipp Arnold is well acquainted with Lerch from their time together in Hoffenheim, having been assistant to both Lerch and his successor Theodoros Dedes. The 28-year-old was also previously assistant coach of Bayer Leverkusen Women’s U17 side, whom he helped win the 2022/23 German championship. The Regensburg native brings a wealth of expertise and is soon to complete a master’s degree in ‘Performance, Training, and Coaching in Elite Sports.’
Carin Bakhuis, assistant coach
Carin Bakhuis joined VfL last season from SV Meppen, where she was in charge of the women’s team for two years across Germany’s top two divisions. The 35-year-old Dutchwoman previously held posts in her homeland, including at PEC Zwolle and FC Twente Enschede.
Eva-Maria Virsinger, assistant coach
Eva-Maria Virsinger is the longest-serving member of the She-Wolves’ coaching staff, having arrived in Wolfsburg in 2021 following roles at the Baden-Württemberg state football association and with the German Football Association (DFB). Now 30, she previously played for SC Freiburg and was player-coach at VfL Sindelfingen.
Marcel Schulz, goalkeeping coach
Marcel Schulz is also part of the furniture in Wolfsburg following his arrival at the start of 2023. Despite being just 25 years old, the Oberhausen native already has several years of Bundesliga experience under his belt, having previously been goalkeeping coach at SGS Essen and then Eintracht Frankfurt.
Andreas Arr-You, goalkeeping coach and youth academy goalkeeping coordinator
Like Schulz, Andreas Arr-You moved to Wolfsburg from Eintracht. The 53-year-old, who hails from the Frankfurt region, held a number of positions with the Eagles, including head coach of the regional-league team, as goalkeeping coach of the U20s and as goalkeeping coordinator. At VfL he puts his vast experience and expertise to use primarily in the youth academy, as well as with the women’s first team.
Olivier Dijk, individual coach and data analyst
Olivier Dijk’s path to Wolfsburg was similar to that of compatriot Bakhuis: he gained experience initially at Twente Enschede before working as a video analyst at SV Meppen. The 26-year-old has been part of the She-Wolves’ coaching team since 2024.
Robin Eder, analyst
Robin Eder is new at the club this season, having arrived from SV Lafnitz. The 30-year-old Mannheim native has primarily worked in youth football until now and has over 10 years’ experience in the game following a variety of roles as coach, assistant coach and analyst at past clubs, including SpVgg Unterhaching and 1. FC Nürnberg.
Lars Edel, conditioning coach
Rounding out the Dutch contingent on the coaching staff is Lars Edel, giving the She-Wolves a full-time conditioning coach once again. The 28-year-old, who has a master’s degree in sports science, previously worked at a fitness and sports performance centre and also at SV Meppen.
