Wolfsburg's manager bids adieu to his farewell speech.
The previous DFB Cup champions, VfL Wolfsburg, have managed to retain their successful coach Tommy Stroot for a longer period than initially planned. According to a club announcement, the 35-year-old coach has extended his contract, which was set to conclude at the end of the season. In a video published by the club, Stroot confirms, "I'll be sticking around until 2027." Previously, in May, Stroot had announced his intention to seek new opportunities after the 2024/25 season.
Detailing his change of mind, Stroot shared, "In candid discussions with the decision-makers, I felt a profound sense of appreciation for my contributions." Over the past few weeks, he added, "I've come to realize that my journey with VfL is far from finished, and I don't need a fresh club to seek new challenges."
Stroot attributed the shift in his decision to the significant changes in the framework at VfL, as a result of the new supervisory board chairman and sports managing director. "Sebastian Rudolph and Peter Christiansen have clear visions for the future of women's football at VfL and maintaining competitiveness at the highest national and international levels," explained Stroot.
Stroot has been in charge of Wolfsburg since 2021, joining from FC Twente Enschede in Lower Saxony. His first season yielded a double win, followed by consecutive DFB Cup victories. In 2023, under the leadership of captain Alexandra Popp, Stroot guided the team to the Champions League final, but they ultimately lost 2-3 to FC Barcelona, having led 2-0 at halftime.
The current season has not started on a high note. Despite aiming to challenge Bayern Munich's position as champions, Wolfsburg suffered an unexpected setback, drawing 3-3 with Werder Bremen in the opening match, marking their first failure to secure a win at the start of a season since 2016. The Super Cup also saw a loss to FC Bayern by a 0-1 margin. However, the DFB Cup campaign began positively with a 6-0 victory against regional league side Hertha BSC.
Stroot's decision to extend his contract with VfL Wolfsburg until 2027 could potentially lead to more success in their upcoming soccer matches. His appreciation for the club's new supervisory board chairman and sports managing director has influenced his desire to continue his journey at Wolfsburg, aiming to help the team maintain competitiveness in both national and international women's soccer.
