Josuha Guilavogui’s chances at VfL Wolfsburg
EIt’s because of that wonderful accent. A disarming smile corresponds with that. In addition, there is his particularly empathetic nature. Josuha Guilavogui, as a midfielder a man for rough things, stands out as a fine spirit in the middle of the tough football business. “Sometimes,” said the savior of the day, “you have to leave something to know how good it is.” He meant the VfL Wolfsburgwhom he had left at his own request for six months.
Now Guilavogui is back with a goal in the Bundesliga, in the home game against Werder Bremen made another 2:2 possible. Guilavogui hardly ever scores goals. That’s not the only reason he cheered so exuberantly. “I’m very grateful to be here,” said the emotionally troubled Frenchman.
According to his calculations, Guilavogui has had six extremely difficult months. In reality there are at least twelve. His move to Girondins Bordeaux ended up falling to the bottom of the table and being relegated from the French elite league. “I lay in bed and cried,” admits the huge professional. At the age of 31, Guilavogui diagnosed himself as having experienced a small depression instead of a pleasant return to his home country.
Second chance?
Not being first choice at VfL Wolfsburg after eight successful years and then failing in Bordeaux can make even the toughest guy falter. Guilavogui needs encouragement, trust and harmony to do his job well. He works in the middle of an industry whose pressure to succeed leaves little room for the sensitive.
Can Guilavogui hope for a second chance at VfL Wolfsburg? Is he allowed to stay after his detour, which was a loan deal? “I’m not in the position to say what I want,” admits the man with shirt number 29. In the home game against newly promoted Bremen, Guilavogui came on after 45 minutes of weak minutes and many defensive errors by VfL. And lo and behold: his sliding tackle, his organizational skills and his enthusiasm took hold immediately. Only a few minutes after the end of the game, when the draw was being discussed in front of 28,015 spectators, the personality of the “Monsieur” rose to the topic.
The new VfL head coach Niko Kovac was asked for his opinion on whether a guy like Guilavogui could actually be let go voluntarily in order to downsize the bloated squad. “Not at the moment, no,” Kovac admitted. The good thing about Guilavogui’s rather poor negotiating position is that the upheaval initiated by Kovac at VfL Wolfsburg is not yet taking hold. Adventurous gaps in the defense became visible against the cheeky Bremen team.
Kovac actually wants to be brave, dominant and aggressive. What Werder have been able to achieve for a long time has remained a secret on the VfL side. “It must not happen like this,” said VfL sporting director Marcel Schaefer about the temporary Wolfsburg mixture of lethargy and carelessness. With Guilavogui, a good deal of willpower came into play. “We all love Josh. He is a guide and helps us extremely. Hopefully he stays with us for the whole season,” said striker Lukas Nmecha.
Tricky Conversations
He had the opening goal for Wolfsburg scored before Niclas Füllkrug and Leonardo Bittencourt scored for the rebellious Bremen team. They were denied only by a late goal from Guilavogui, who was desperate to force a turnaround in the game.
Tricky discussions are pending on the office floor of VfL Wolfsburg Fußball GmbH. Actually, someone like Guilavogui, in his early 30s and with limited potential for further development, does not fit into the club’s prey scheme. When the veteran came on, Kovac felt he was taking a step backwards rather than forward in terms of his new team’s playing strategy.
That sounds harsh, but it is part of the reality in paid sports. Guilavogui would have to be tied to the club for life. The player Guilavogui has flaws in the opening of the game and limited options in attack. He himself is far too modest to say out loud what he would like from his long-time employer. “Today I’m here. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring,” said Guilavogui.
He was smiling after the final whistle and looked content. A few meters away were his teammates Maxence Lacroix and Max Kruse. They argued about tactical inadequacies in the Wolfsburg team. At that moment, both were very far away from the feelings and thoughts of Josuha Guilavogui.
