Volkswagen Arena: Home of Wolfsburg(credit:
Wikipedia)
Manager Holger Stanislawski is determined to lead St Pauli to Bundesliga survival before he departs this summer.
Stanislawski announced earlier this week that he would be leaving at the end of the campaign after 18 seasons with the Pirates of the League, but he faces a fight against relegation before he moves on to a “fresh challenge”.
The Millerntor-Stadion outfit are languishing in the relegation zone, two points form safety with five games to go, but they can boost their survival chances with a win today at fellow strugglers Wolfsburg.
And Stanislawski said: “I am going to be part of this side until June 30 and I am incredibly proud of the successes we have achieved in recent years.
“I sat in my car for hours on end recently and looked at the South Stand, and I realised that the time had come for me to make way for somebody new.
“The last few years have exhausted me and I don't just want to exist here at St Pauli, I want to give 100% for the club. But I have got to the stage where my power and energy are practically worn out.
“The positive development of this team has got to carry on in the future, but my batteries have become emptier and emptier.
“I know very well how to put that to one side, though, and not only I but the whole team are looking forward to this game.
“Wolfsburg have their backs to the wall and I can see our chances of playing a successful game.”
While St Pauli will be desperately hoping to end a six-match losing run, Wolfsburg will be aiming to boost their survival chances by bouncing back from a 1-0 defeat at FC Schalke.