VfL Gummersbach’s remarkable season has earned another major recognition. Head coach Guðjón Valur Sigurðsson has been voted Bundesliga coach of the season for 2025/26 after guiding Gummersbach to their best league finish in nearly two decades. The award was decided by a vote among Bundesliga coaches and club executives.
The Icelandic legend has continued the impressive rise of Gummersbach since taking over the club in 2020. After leading the traditional powerhouse back to the Bundesliga in 2022, Sigurðsson has steadily transformed the team into one of Germany’s most competitive sides.
This season marked a major breakthrough. Gummersbach secured fourth place in the Bundesliga standings, their highest finish since the 2006/07 campaign, while consistently challenging many of the league’s top clubs throughout the year.
For Sigurðsson, the award adds another chapter to an already impressive coaching résumé. He was previously named Coach of the Season in the Bundesliga in 2022/23 and also received the honor in Germany’s second division after guiding Gummersbach back to the top flight.
The 46-year-old enjoyed one of handball’s greatest playing careers before moving into coaching, winning domestic titles in multiple countries and lifting the EHF Champions League as a player. His success on the bench has now made him one of the most highly regarded coaches in European handball.