99 Beetle manual trans only has reverse and fifth

My wife was driving her 99 Beetle home the other day and she had to drive it home in 5th gear because 1,2,3 and 4th kept popping out. She still has reverse. A friend and I removed the air box and played with the cable linkage. It did not seem broke or snapped but it did seem very wobbly and loose. When we pushed it into place we still could not get it into gear. Neither of us have ever seen what one of these looks like working but we assume it shouldn't be loose. Can you give me some thoughts on what you think the issue is.