VfL Wolfsburg have appointed Dieter Hecking as their new Sporting Director, the club announced on Saturday evening. The 61-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the Bundesliga side, extending his stay with the Wolves until 2028.
Hecking will oversee all sporting matters, encompassing both the men’s and women’s first teams, as well as the club’s academy. This appointment marks a swift promotion for Hecking, who joined Wolfsburg in March as head coach but was unable to prevent their relegation to the 2. Bundesliga. Prior to taking the managerial role, Hecking served as Sporting Director for 1. FC Nürnberg from 2020 to 2024, gaining prior experience in a similar management position.
The position of Sporting Director at Wolfsburg had been vacant since the departure of Peter Christiansen in March. Sebastian Rudolph, Chairman of the VfL supervisory board, expressed his delight at retaining Hecking’s services, stating that he embodies team spirit and identification with the club. Rudolph also highlighted Hecking’s familiarity with the challenges of the second tier and his suitability for the role, emphasizing a continuation of the positive working relationship with Pirmin Schwegler and the existing team.
Hecking himself acknowledged the weight of the recent relegation, stating that it “still gnaws at me,” but expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by the club and its leadership, including Diego Benaglio and Pirmin Schwegler. He emphasized the need to quickly establish a positive atmosphere within the club to tackle the challenges of the 2. Bundesliga with a combination of humility, courage, and conviction. One of Hecking’s first tasks will be to identify and appoint a new head coach, with recent reports indicating that Tim Walter, previously linked with the position, will remain at Holstein Kiel.
This move represents a significant shift for Wolfsburg as they begin their efforts to return to the Bundesliga, placing experienced leadership in a key decision-making role. The appointment aims to provide stability and direction as the club navigates the complexities of the second division.
