First Team

“VfL will have a better season”

In an interview, Wolfsburg’s title-winning coach Felix Magath reflects on his time as VfL boss, the famous 5-1 win against Bayern and the coming season for the Wolves.

Felix Magath, what’s it like for you being back in Wolfsburg? Does it bring back old memories?

Felix Magath: “It’s just nice to come back. Back then we qualified for the UEFA Cup, won the league and qualified for the Champions League. It was an amazing time, and that’s why I like to come to Wolfsburg every now and then.”

Do you follow current developments at VfL?

Magath: “Of course, because there are still a lot of emotions there and it was just a wonderful time back then.”

You’ve been able to meet one of your former players here in Sebastian Schindzielorz…

Magath: “I brought him to Wolfsburg and he fulfilled his role 100%. That’s also why it’s nice that he’s now back at VfL in a different capacity. He’s a decent and reliable person who you can completely trust.”

Let’s look ahead to this weekend and the start of the Bundesliga season against Bayern. It’s only natural that many fans will think back to the 5-1 victory in the title-winning season. Were you aware at the time that the emphatic win also took you top of the table?

Magath: “To be honest, that didn’t really interest me at first, but of course the 5-1 win was a highlight. You don’t experience games like that every day – topped off by that once-in-a-century goal from Grafite. A goal like that against opponents like FC Bayern might never happen again. It was extraordinary and another reason why the match will always be remembered.”

Der ehemalige VfL-Wolfsburg-Spieler Grafite am Ball. Um ihn herum ehemalige Spieler vom FC Bayern.

What are your expectations for the Wolves’ upcoming meeting with Bayern?

Magath: “I can’t give the VfL fans much hope that there’ll be a similar result on the opening weekend, but the timing is favourable for VfL. There was a lot of unrest at Bayern last season and that has probably also carried over into pre-season. That means that Bayern don’t really know where they stand at the moment. I think that’s why it could be a good opportunity for VfL to exploit this situation.”

And finally: what do you expect in general from VfL this season?

Magath: “I think that VfL will have a better season. Ralph Hasenhüttl has been there a while now, has more insights and has been able to put his ideas across more. In that respect, I’m quite confident that VfL will compete for the European places again. Champions League qualification might be rather ambitious as there are other clubs who are a bit ahead of them currently, but I’m sure VfL are capable of getting into the Europa League.”