Struggling Bundesliga team Wolfsburg has parted ways with manager Niko Kovac, as the club has failed to secure a league victory since the beginning of the year.
Under Kovac’s tenure, Wolfsburg has endured an 11-game winless streak in the Bundesliga, leaving them in 14th place in the standings. Following a 3-1 defeat at home to Augsburg on Saturday, the team now sits just six points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
“After assessing the game and the overall situation following the loss against FC Augsburg, we have decided to terminate our collaboration,” stated Wolfsburg’s managing director Marcel Schaefer.
“We acknowledge the circumstances and feel it is necessary to inject new energy into the team to stabilize our position,” Schaefer added.
Wolfsburg also announced the departure of Kovac’s assistant and younger brother, Robert Kovac, with immediate effect. Niko Kovac had joined Wolfsburg ahead of the 2022-2023 season, during which the team finished in eighth place. However, the subsequent season has seen Wolfsburg struggle to maintain their performance levels under his leadership.
Prior to his stint with Wolfsburg, Kovac had managed the Croatian national team and had coaching spells with Bundesliga clubs Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich. Although he achieved Bundesliga and domestic cup success with Bayern in 2019, Kovac was relieved of his duties due to poor results the following season.
Following his departure from Bayern, Kovac briefly managed Ligue 1 side Monaco before returning to the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg in 2022.
