Ronan Murphy, Bundesliga expert: Hasenhüttl turning Wolfsburg into European contenders | OneFootball

Bundesliga expert Ronan Murphy has detailed how former Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl is turning Wolfsburg into a contender for European football next season, ahead of the German side's pre-season fixture against Brentford on Friday evening.

Hasenhüttl, who spent four years with the Saints in the Premier League, was appointed Wolfsburg manager towards the end of last season, when he guided them away from relegation.

And now, with a summer to work with his squad and coach the high-press philosophy seen during his time in England, the club's supporters are optimistic they can push for a top-six finish.

The Bees return to the Gtech under the lights on Friday in their final pre-season friendly before the 2024/25 Premier League season kicks off. Kids go free with a paying adult thanks to Gtech; tickets can be purchased here.

What have you made of how Wolfsburg’s pre-season has gone so far?

Wolfsburg's pre-season kicked off in incredible fashion, winning their first friendly 9-0 to start their 2024/25 campaign. The name of the opponents, AZ/WAZ, is probably not familiar to many football fans in England, as it is not Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, but a one-off XI made up of amateur players from the Wolfsburg area, promoting local newspapers AZ and WAZ!

Games against Anderlecht and Lille are a better example of what to expect from the Wolves, with both games decided by a single goal. Hasenhüttl has used these games to try to work on defensive aspects of the game - particularly against Lille, where they kept a clean sheet. However, a 3-2 defeat to Hannover indicates that there is still a lot of work to be done at the back.

Ralph Hasenhüttl took over in mid-March and saw the club to a second 12th-place finish in three seasons. Is there a feeling that, with a full summer to prepare, he can guide them back into the top half and beyond?

Niko Kovač failed to find much consistency as Wolfsburg manager, too often chopping and changing his line-ups and even the formation, as they got dragged into the relegation battle rather than the hunt for Europe.

Hasenhüttl came in and steadied the ship well, with fans optimistic that the former Southampton manager can turn them back into contenders for the top six or seven again.

What have you made of their summer transfer business so far?

Replacing veteran goalkeeper Koen Casteels was the biggest challenge for Wolfsburg, with the Belgian stopper moving to Saudi Arabia for one final payday.

Kamil Grabara has arrived from Copenhagen, but has yet to play regularly at this level despite previously being on the books of Liverpool. He has played in the Champions League with Copenhagen, but €13.5 million could be a risk on a team crying out for defensive stability.

Which player should Brentford fans be keeping an eye on?

Ridle Baku can be a real threat from right-wing-back and was linked with both Arsenal and Wolves last summer. He stayed at Wolfsburg rather than move to Wolverhampton and has been used in a more attacking role since Hasenhüttl took charge.

He was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season in his first season at Wolfsburg and will be hoping to re-find that form this campaign.

How is Hasenhüttl likely to set up his side in west London?

So far under Hasenhüttl, Wolfsburg have played a defensive-minded 3-4-1-2, with the Austrian not sticking with the famed 4-2-2-2 Red Bull approach he used at RB Leipzig and Southampton.

However, some elements of that vertical approach remain and the Wolves will look to score on the counter and break quickly while also pressing high up the pitch.

What’s your score prediction?

With Wolfsburg rotating heavily during pre-season, an open game with Brentford could be expected.

Hasenhüttl will be eager to keep the scoreline down and then test out young players in the second half, which could allow for a more entertaining second half.

It's likely to end 2-1, most possibly to Brentford.