Newcastle United broke the bank to sign Nick Woltemade but his impact has been limited at St James’ Park.
Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth has admitted losing Nick Woltemade was “painful” last summer.
And in a telling admission, the 46-year-old revealed the Newcastle United ace was “desperate” to leave. German media were infamously scathing of the fee Toon chiefs stumped up to sign Woltemade.
Newcastle frantically searched for a striker, with Alexander Isak just days away from joining Liverpool after downing tools all summer. As it happened, the Magpies gazumped Bayern Munich to pinch the Bundesliga sensation - prompting several high-profile figures to speak out.
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Nick Woltemade at Newcastle United
Woltemade enjoyed a stellar start to life at St James’ Park - scoring four goals in his first five Premier League games. However, his form has nosedived since the turn of the year, with the 24-year-old failing to bag in 13 top-flight appearances.
That has largely been down to Eddie Howe playing him as a midfielder in recent weeks. Anthony Gordon - a winger - has been Newcastle’s preferred option up front.
Woltemade’s position change has attracted criticism in Germany - most notably from national team coach Julian Nagelsmann. His former Stuttgart teammate, Deniz Undav, has stepped up since his departure with 21 goals and is an outside bet for the World Cup.
Stuttgart sporting director speaks out
Stuttgart chief Wohlgemuth has reflected on reluctantly losing Woltemade last summer. He told Bild: “Nick’s departure was painful, but unavoidable. He desperately wanted to leave and the offer from Newcastle was historic in its size and impossible to refuse.
“Speculating about where we would be with Nick today is pointless. Others have filled the gap created by his exit. One thing is certain: this transfer has made us not only more financially stable but also more independent, and it has enhanced our reputation within Europe.”
Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade form
Speaking to The Gazette last month, Toon boss Howe downplayed the debate over Woltemade’s form - insisting the forward remains in a good place. He said: “I speak to the players, not necessarily on a daily basis but I'll be having meetings with them throughout the week on various things usually associated with their game and trying to help them review games.
“I've done a lot of that with Nick. Nick's in a relatively decent place with his game. It's so funny how one performance or one bad game can suddenly bring a string or a cloud around a player. Nick's performances, if you look at them again with a more holistic viewpoint, I think he's been excellent in recent games.
“I've been pleased with him. Yes, he's maybe not getting the goals that he was in the early season but I think his all-round game is better than it was. I'm sort of oblivious, as I said so many times before, to the outside opinion.
“I would be saying the same as the national team manager, not necessarily to relax but to carry on, enjoy your football, play your way. He's got outstanding qualities. I think he'll only get better for us as time goes on.”
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