Vaclav Cerny is flourishing at VfL Wolfsburg under Paul Simonis. After being loaned to Rangers FC last season, the winger seemed headed for the exit this summer in the German Autostadt, but following an excellent pre-season, he is now even in contention for a new contract.
Embed from Getty Images
Vaclav Cerny is beginning to show signs of resurgence at VfL Wolfsburg under new coach Paul Simonis, and his recent performance against Magdeburg is the latest evidence.
In a thrilling 3-4 victory in one of Wolfsburg’s key preseason friendlies, Cerny operated as a central attacking midfielder the number 10 and delivered an eye-catching display that included a well-taken goal. Beyond the goal, the Czech international showed intelligence in positioning, quick passing combinations, and consistent threat with his favored left foot.
"He can make the difference because he's very creative on the ball and can surprise opponents with his left foot," Simonis said post-match, visibly pleased with the 26-year-old’s sharpness. "It’s not just about scoring it's about how he connects the lines, how he finds space. That’s exactly what we need in that role."
Cerny’s reemergence comes at a pivotal time. After an underwhelming 2023/24 campaign that included a loan spell at Rangers FC in Scotland where he struggled for consistent minutes his future at the German club appeared uncertain earlier this summer. Wolfsburg had been expected to move him on, and interest from Turkish side Besiktas was reported by Kicker. But the tide has shifted. According to Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, Cerny is now in active discussions with the club over a contract extension, even though his current deal already runs through to mid-2027.
Simonis, newly appointed and looking to reshape the squad with a mix of tactical discipline and attacking freedom, appears to be giving Cerny a renewed sense of purpose. The Dutch coach has made no secret of his desire to build a dynamic, fluid frontline, and Cerny if he maintains this form could be a central piece in that puzzle.
While the win over Magdeburg offered plenty of attacking highlights with Wolfsburg netting four goals and creating numerous chances Simonis was far from fully satisfied. His post-match remarks reflected a mix of encouragement and realism.
"The boys executed much of what we wanted to see very well," he said. "They moved well between the lines, were creative, and always had an eye for the opponent’s goal. We scored some beautiful goals; we can be satisfied with our attacking play."
Indeed, the interplay in the final third, particularly between Cerny, Wind, and Paredes, stood out. Quick transitions, clever movements off the ball, and sharp finishing gave Wolfsburg fans plenty to cheer about and perhaps a glimpse of what’s to come when the Bundesliga season kicks off.
But defensively, concerns linger. Simonis didn’t hide his disappointment with certain aspects of the performance without being overly harsh.
"The structure of how we wanted to defend wasn’t quite right," he admitted. "We need to analyze and improve that. At times, we gave the opponent too much space on the ball."
Magdeburg, to their credit, exposed Wolfsburg’s vulnerability on the flanks and in transitional moments. With a better final ball, the scoreline could have been even closer or even tipped in the other direction. Simonis acknowledged this, but also pointed to the context: "We’ve had a tough week of preparation," he said, referencing the physically intense training sessions leading up to the game.
Despite the flaws, there is cautious optimism surrounding Wolfsburg’s progress in preseason. For Cerny in particular, this could be a turning point. With renewed confidence, support from the coach, and a tactical system that suits his style, the winger may finally be ready to make a sustained impact in the Bundesliga not as a fringe player, but as a key figure in Simonis’ project.
