Ingo Schlosser, head coach VfL Wolfsburg

14 June 2026

“Everything here is great; there are top teams and it is superbly organized”

“We are here for the second time, after visiting for the first time in 2022. This tournament really ranks number one in Europe and everything is perfectly arranged. At Easter we were in Rotterdam at the Oranje tournament, but the way things are organized here—fantastic—I have never experienced anything like it before. All the teams here are top-level and the performance level is very high. Of course, we come here with high expectations, but the question is always whether these are fulfilled. We are the champions of Northern Germany, but at the end of a season you always have a number of key players who have picked up injuries. This really is the end of a long season. We have come here with 17 outfield players and 2 goalkeepers. Our technical staff consists of 5 people, and we even have our own bus driver.”

Providing playing time
“If you want to achieve something at this level, you need a well-trained and strong squad, but we notice that the energy is starting to fade. Then performance is not at the required level. Tournaments are also used to give everyone playing time.”

“Wolfsburg is a small city and we have a large catchment area with players from the surrounding region. For distances of up to over an hour, we have set up a transport service, and those who live further away stay at our boarding school.”

Perspective
“I have been here for 12 years now, but I have seen only a few players make it to the first team; many end up in the second, third, and fourth leagues. Everyone thinks that as a VW company we have a lot of money, but that is not the case. Our U-21 and U-23 teams have both been discontinued, while there are still opportunities at the U-19 level, although that is uncertain due to schooling requirements. If players do not become professionals, you cannot offer them a clear perspective. We have also been relegated recently, but there is still funding available.”

Superbly organized
“Everything here is excellent; there are top teams and it is superbly organized. The support staff is great and the atmosphere is almost family-like! Apart from the winner, the Dutch top three teams, and Grol, there is always a varied and strong field of participants. For us, it is always an honor to be invited. For players as well, this is a unique tournament because it is truly special to compete against such top teams and see where you stand.”

Mats Rots
“And finally, regarding the transfer of Mats Rots to TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga—the FC Twente player from Groenlo who once started at Grol. He has heard about the transfer and is somewhat familiar with his development. ‘For a young player, this is a good club. They often recruit talented young players and give them the opportunity to develop to a higher level.’”