Wolfsburg confirm Ismael, Kauczinski leaves Ingolstadt

A brace from Mario Gomez sealed only the second Bundesliga win of the season for Wolfsburg and was enough to convince Wolfsburg's sporting director Klaus Allofs that he had the right man.

"Together we analysed the complete situation and came to the conclusion that Valerien Ismael is the right head-coach for VfL Wolfsburg," Allofs said. "An extensive look at all the alternatives proved to us that this is the best solution. This was a decision made of complete conviction. We said from the start that Valerien would have a chance and, in our opinion, he has made exceptional use of it - not just because the team won in Freiburg on Saturday, but rather because he convinced us with his working methods." 

After a caretaker spell that also featured two league losses and a narrow win over second-division side Heidenheim in the German Cup, Ismael has been promoted from managing the under-23s. He has a contract with the club that runs until 2018.

The former Bayern Munich player's first taste of first time management came with Nuremberg in 2014 when he lasted just five months before being fired. Ismael said he hoped to develop a strong work ethic among the Wolfsburg players.

"I would like to thank Klaus Allofs and all those responsible for the faith they have placed in my work and for the chance I have been given to continue working at this level. I am delighted to be in a position to continue the work we began with the team two-and-a-half weeks ago. I know we have a great deal of work ahead of us, but I firmly believe that the team will entirely pull their weight and that we will be successful together," he said.

Ismael's first game in permanent charge will be a home fixture against Schalke on November 19, after the international break.

Struggling Ingolstadt part company with Kauczinski

In other coaching news, FC Ingolstadt have decided to part ways with coach Markus Kauczinski after a dismal start to the Bundesliga campaign.

The 46-year-old coach was brought in during the off-season from Karlsruhe to replace RB Leipzig-bound Ralph Hasenhüttl, but after taking just two points from his opening 10 league games he and the club decided to end things.

"With Markus we have analyzed the work done over the past four months," said Harald Gärtner, Ingolstadt’s director of sport, in a statement on the club website. "Today we have come to the conclusion that it is best for FC Ingolstadt to make a fresh start. This decision was very difficult for us because we appreciate Markus Kauczinski not only for his qualities as a coach, but also as a human. But we were forced to act in the interests of the club and after careful consideration came to the joint decision to provide a new impetus to the position of head coach."

The Bavarian club are 17th in Germany's top division with an important away trip to fellow relegation-battlers Darmstadt to come after the international break. The club have not yet announced who will take over first team duties as they begin their search for a new coach.