This Saturday, RB Leipzig's new managing director Marcel Schäfer will face his long-standing club VfL Wolfsburg for the first time in the Bundesliga - and seven months after parting ways in April, he is still struggling with the circumstances at the time. The hostility from numerous VfL fans in particular had "hit him hard", the 40-year-old confirmed in two interviews with "Kicker" and the "Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung".
"With all understanding for criticism, for disappointment and incomprehension, boundaries were crossed, including towards my family," said Schäfer. At the time, he said, he "didn't say anything about it because I didn't want a mud fight. Because for me, it was 17 unforgettable years in Wolfsburg. I won't let any poster take away this gratitude, the history and the connection."
"Feeling of powerlessness"
Between 2007 and 2024, Schäfer worked for VfL as a player, sports director and managing director. His family still lives in Wolfsburg. In April, he informed the club that he wanted to leave at the end of the season. Wolfsburg then decided to part ways immediately.
In retrospect, Schäfer speaks of a "feeling of powerlessness, because I never had any intention of leaving VfL during the season". It was "basically possible for both sides to deal with my move differently". In general, however, the former international emphasized once again: "After 17 years, I felt the time was right to make a new move. Both for VfL and for me."
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