Wolfsburg are one of only seven teams who have never been relegated from the Bundesliga but in order to stay in that group led by Bayern Munich they must yet again survive a play-off tie.
Wolfsburg finished third bottom in the top flight and will face Paderborn, who came third in the second tier, home and away on Thursday and Monday for the final Bundesliga spot in 2026-27.
“Of course we are favourites. Everyone knows that,” coach Dieter Hecking told daily Wolfsburger Allgemeine. “I have the feeling that the team is ready at the right time.”
Hecking arrived at the Volkswagen-owned club in March and is credited with avoiding a direct drop for the 2009 champions who also needed a play-off detour to stay in the Bundesliga in 2017 and 2018.
“He arrived with his charisma and his aura,” playmaker Christian Eriksen told Sky TV in praise of Hecking who was relegated with Bochum last year.
“His experience from similar situations in the past rubs off on the players, and we’re reaping the benefits. He’s changed the team dynamic, the distribution of roles and the way we play. We’re now more consistent and know exactly what we need to do on the pitch.”
In the top flight since 1997, Wolfsburg started the season with European ambitions but soon found themselves in the dogfight and only avoided relegation with a final matchday victory at St Pauli on Saturday.
Hecking warned that the team must perform in a similar way as in the past weeks against Paderborn, who are seeking a Bundesliga return after six years.
“Nine weeks ago we were finished. Nobody gave us a chance back then. But if we ease off even a little now, the whole thing will start to unravel again,” Hecking said.