According to Bild, Wolfsburg Supervisory Board Chairman and Volkswagen executive Sebastian Rudolf discussed investments in Wolfsburg, management restructuring, and the 50+1 rule in an exclusive interview.

Mr. Rudolf, after Wolfsburg's first-ever relegation, the club is considered the top favorite in the 2. Bundesliga. What do you make of the comparison to "Bayern of the 2. Bundesliga"?

Sebastian Rudolf (49): Bayern represents great success, hard work, and the highest standards, but such a comparison doesn't help us. Of course, as Wolfsburg, we want to be at the top of the 2. Bundesliga. However, this requires us to play as a unit every week, give our all on the field, and leverage our strengths. This season will be tough, and no opponent will hand us points for free.

This reflects economic strength. Wolfsburg's budget has reached a record high of up to 60 million euros. Why was this decision made?

Compared to the Bundesliga, this budget has been significantly reduced. But it's true: we are willing to invest money to bring in strong reinforcements. At the same time, we have already earned considerable money through transfer fees, which is sufficient to cover these investments. A similar situation occurred when Stuttgart and 1. FC Köln were relegated.

The Volkswagen Group has announced profit declines. How will this crisis affect Wolfsburg?

Volkswagen Group is clearly the market leader in Europe in both fuel-efficient and electric vehicles. Wolfsburg is an important pillar for the entire region and possesses considerable strength. We firmly support the club, and the club is also undertaking cost-saving measures every year.

Where exactly will the club save money?

I'd like to use Volkswagen as an analogy: we don't cut corners on car quality. Therefore, in football, we also won't compromise on team quality. Areas for optimization are in supporting operations, such as making management more efficient and focusing on core tasks.

Wolfsburg has assembled a squad with extensive 2. Bundesliga experience and leadership qualities. What does the Supervisory Board think of this strategy?

Positive. We want experience, leadership, and 2. Bundesliga know-how in the squad. These signings align with the team's competitive strategy. We are delighted to have convinced some players who could have joined Bundesliga clubs to join us. Outsiders always say that everything revolves around money for us, but in negotiations, money has never been the top priority. We clearly showed the players how Wolfsburg would restart.

Some might say that everything the team does is focused on this one season, and after promotion to the Bundesliga, another major squad rebuild will be needed.

I disagree. We are bringing in players of Bundesliga quality who can help us achieve our 2. Bundesliga goals. Elvis Rexhbecaj from Augsburg, Hauke Wahl from St. Pauli, Robert Glatzel from Hamburg, and Muhammed Damar from Hoffenheim have all played in the Bundesliga. Timon Wellenreuther played in the Champions League with Feyenoord, and Fabbian Riess also received Bundesliga offers. We value experience, mentality, and technical ability.

Is it a risk that new coach Tobias Strobl has no coaching experience beyond the 3. Liga?

Our head coach has a clear playing philosophy and principles for leadership. The feedback within the team is very positive. The sports management also brought in Jerome Polenz as assistant coach, who has extensive 2. Bundesliga experience.

Christian Eriksen collapsed again due to cardiac issues after a national team match. His contract with Wolfsburg runs until 2027. How will the club treat him?

We will be very cautious. Dieter Hecking is in contact with him. Christian Eriksen visited Wolfsburg last week, but his rehabilitation is still taking place in Denmark. We will give Christian sufficient time to make his own decision.

Sporting Director Peter Christiansen left mid-season last year, and Dieter Hecking replaced him. In addition, CEO Tim Schumacher and Michael Meeske also departed, and Jens Klingenberg and Steffen Grupp now hold those positions. Why such a thorough restructuring?

We have reshaped Wolfsburg at multiple levels, hoping to bring about a new beginning. This also applies to the management structure. For example, we want to consolidate finance, procurement, and infrastructure under one line of responsibility, and we also want to refocus the sales department. To do this, we have re-adopted structures that have proven effective in recent years.

Why are all positions filled by employees from within the club or Volkswagen?

The new managers are the best choices for their respective positions, possessing professional competence, deep ties to the region, and a clear understanding of what Wolfsburg truly needs. Everyone should make the club their passion. We need to reignite this energy.

Hecking was relegated as a coach, then promoted to sporting director, which seems unusual.

From the outside, perhaps, but not from the inside. Hecking is the best person for the current stage. He has brought the club back to a state of stability we haven't had in a long time. Both professionally and personally, Dieter has earned immense trust. It's also evident that his collaboration with Pirmin Schwegler is very effective.

It was once said that Meeske's departure was due to disagreements with the new management structure.

My communication with Michael Meeske has always been professional and constructive. He initially joined as head of sales and later took over finance. The Supervisory Board now believes it's time for a content and personnel realignment.

Meeske believes that his departure will weaken Wolfsburg's progress on the 50+1 exemption issue.

On the 50+1 issue, specific matters were handled by Tim Schumacher, and he will continue to assist us as an advisor in the future.

Are you concerned that the exemption clauses for Wolfsburg and Leverkusen will be revoked?

The 50+1 rule is very important to us because it defines the character of German football. We must recognize that there could eventually be a European-level ruling, like the Bosman case, that changes German football. No one wants that, and neither do we. The current rules have been in place for decades and are generally accepted in the league. We should continue to adhere to them.

What impact will the men's team's relegation have on the women's team?

Both Wolfsburg and Volkswagen are very proud of the women's team. Wolfsburg has shaped German women's football for many years. We currently finished as league runners-up, reached the German Cup final, and the Champions League quarter-finals. We will continue to invest. Therefore, the men's team's relegation will not directly affect our investment and goals in women's football; this has been clearly communicated.

For example, the women's team will train at the same facility as the men's team. The team coached by Stephan Lerch has also been well reinforced.

The transfer fee for Danish international Cecilie Fløe was 400,000 euros, which is even higher than Bayern's investment in a comparable player.

We have recovered substantial transfer fees from player departures and are working hard to bring in equally excellent players. Our goal is to close the gap with Bayern and progress as far as possible in all three competitions.

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