VfL Wolfsburg have kicked off their preparations for their first 2. Bundesliga season in 30 years at a training camp in Weimarer Land. After last year's Bundesliga relegation with just 29 points from 34 games (7 wins, 8 draws, 19 losses) and a run of two consecutive defeats, the club faces a complete rebuild.

How the team is being reshaped after relegation

Manager Tobias Strobl, appointed in July 2026, is using the training camp to mold a competitive squad from a roster of 39 players. The mood in the team is surprisingly upbeat: laughter and loud cheers dominate the sessions, despite the memory of preparing for the club's worst season in history still fresh. Strobl himself joined in training with striker Dzenan Pejcinovic and praised the team's pace. „When I see how fast the lads are, I'm glad I can observe from the outside,“ the 37-year-old said.

On May 25, 2026, Wolfsburg lost their final Bundesliga match 1:2 to SC Paderborn 07. Their last five games ended with one win and two draws in two defeats (LLDDW). With a goal difference of 45:69 (-24) and 60 points behind Bayern Munich, relegation after 29 years in the top flight was inevitable.

New signings drive the rebuild

The squad has been radically overhauled. Instead of young foreign talents, Wolfsburg now relies on experienced German-speaking players with 2. Bundesliga pedigree. They include winger Fabian Reese (ex-Hertha BSC), striker Robert Glatzel (Hamburger SV) and defender Hauke Wahl (St. Pauli). Alongside goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther and midfield returner Elvis Rexhbecaj, they are set to form the backbone of the team. Captain Maximilian Arnold, a 15-year veteran, highlights the newcomers' commitment: „They all go the extra mile, they're really strong characters.“

The challenge of a bloated squad

Yet the roster remains too large. With 39 players, frustration looms, even if four World Cup travelers like striker Mohammed Amoura are unlikely to return. The integration of new signings has gone smoothly so far, but the question remains: how can Strobl turn this oversized group into a competitive unit? The answer may lie in mindset – and the experience of the new arrivals.