Vladimir Coufal Set to Extend Contract with Hoffenheim

omidbasir- Kicker reports that Czech fullback Vladimir Coufal is poised to sign a contract extension with his current Bundesliga club, Hoffenheim. The former West Ham player joined the team on a free transfer this past summer but initially signed a one-year deal. At 33 years old, Coufal has demonstrated remarkable resilience and has exceeded expectations on the pitch.

Hoffenheim’s resurgence can be largely attributed to the contributions of the 59-times-capped Czech international. The team’s struggles last season were partly due to a lack of quality fullbacks, but since joining, Coufal has helped redefine the squad’s dynamics under head coach Christian Ilzer. He has participated in all 22 Bundesliga matches, scoring one goal and providing seven assists.

Coufal has shown an exceptional ability to elevate the performance of his teammates, notably impacting fellow defender Robin Hranac. Once considered a disappointment, Hranac has transformed into a cornerstone of Hoffenheim’s defense, largely due to Coufal’s influence.

In a recent match against Freiburg, Coufal recorded two assists. Furthermore, right back Valentin Gendrey scored his second goal for TSG after coming on to replace Coufal, showcasing the positive effect of Coufal’s presence on the pitch.

“Valentin Gendrey is a competitor for Vladimir Coufal’s position,” noted head coach Ilzer in the post-match press conference. “However, they motivate each other in training, which enhances their performances.”

Ilzer reflected on his first meeting with Coufal, stating, “He conveyed to me his ambition to finish in the top six of the table, which I appreciated, as it showed his focus on success. Regardless of his age, he maintains a high level of quality in all his endeavors.”

TSG goal-scorer Fisnik Asllani, one of the beneficiaries of Coufal’s assists, praised his experience, saying, “He’s a great guy. You can tell he has a lot of experience. He delivers excellent crosses and is a fighter who works hard for the team. We’re fortunate to have him.”

Midfielder Grischa Prömel echoed the sentiment, describing Coufal as “a world-class player and an absolute model professional. Many players could learn from him, particularly in terms of his assertiveness and strength. We are very pleased to have him on our team.”