Wolfsburg hire Jonker as head coach to replace sacked Ismael

Berlin: Andries Jonker was named head coach at struggling Bundesliga club Wolfsburg following Valerien Ismael’s sacking after just four months.

Ismael, 41, was told his services were no longer required on Sunday night in the wake of Wolfsburg’s 21 defeat at home to Werder Bremen on Friday.

The loss left the 2015 German Cup winners just two points from the relegation spots after only six wins from 22 league games so far this season.

The 54yearold Jonker will arrive in Germany having left his post as head of Arsenal’s youth academy.

“Andries Jonker knows Wolfsburg and has kept regular contact with the club since his move to London,” said director of sport Olaf Rebbe on Monday.

“Both of these factors were decisive in being able to realise this top solution in a short period of time.

He has plenty of experience in the German League and was Louis van Gaal’s assistant at Bayern from 2009 until April 2011 when he stepped up as caretaker coach until the end of the season after Van Gaal was sacked.

Jonker then had a stint as Wolfsburg’s assistant coach from 2012 to 2014 when he left to become the head of the Gunners’ academy.

The Dutchman is Wolfsburg’s third coach this season, the club having also sacked Dieter Hecking in October.

Wolfsburg finished second to Bayern Munich in 201415 and were eighth last season, but their fall from grace has been dramatic this campaign.

Recordsigning Julian Draxler was eventually sold to Paris St Germain in January after repeatedly saying he wanted to leave.

Wolfsburg have lost five of their last six matches in all competitions.

Ismael is the eighth German League coach sacked this season. — AFP