Sebastian Hoeneß saved VfB Stuttgart from relegation and led them into the Champions League. The coach is very popular with other clubs. Here Hoeneß explains under what conditions he will remain in Stuttgart in the future.
Sebastian Hoeneß has brought success back to VfB Stuttgart. After disappointing years, VfB is playing in the Champions League again. The coach has a contract until 2027 including an exit clause. The 42-year-old can go for five to six million euros – but only to a club that plays internationally.
Ask: Mr. Hoeneß, from FC Bayern II via Hoffenheim to the premier class with VfB: What was it like for you to hear the Champions League anthem for the first time as head coach on the sidelines in the away game at Real Madrid?
Sebastian Hoeness: I didn’t hear her at all. I always come out shortly before kick-off, so I only saw the last few seconds. Then I went to Carlo Ancelotti and shook his hand. All in all, these were extraordinary moments in Madrid for me too. I will never forget these memories. I don’t have to act cooler than I am.
Ask: After finishing runner-up last year, you yourself could have been on the sidelines at Manchester United or Chelsea FC. Both clubs have asked and they have an exit clause in their contract. Why did you prefer to stay?
Hoeness: I noticed that there was interest from various clubs. That wasn’t entirely surprising after the season we had. But a few months earlier I had decided to stay in Stuttgart. That’s why there wasn’t a single conversation from my side. It was clear to me that I wanted to develop and build something at VfB this season too.
Ask: Have you ever regretted this decision?
Hoeness: No.
Ask: What made the decision to extend the contract at VfB?
Hoeness: The cooperation with those responsible around Alexander Wehrle, Fabian Wohlgemuth and Christian Gentner is trusting, VfB has huge potential. I find it incredibly exciting to help exploit this potential. If this succeeds, it will be possible for VfB to reach areas that were far away for years. We took eight steps at once last season. During my time here I realized what is possible with the people in this stadium. That made me want to continue my work here. Nothing has changed about that. But of course for me it’s also about making it clear that the conditions have been created so that VfB can be developed further.
Ask: What does that mean specifically? What must be the objective in Stuttgart so that you stay there permanently?
Hoeness: In the future it would be important to retain our own substance – i.e. the best players – and build on it. In order to then continuously play for the international places.
Ask: In Leverkusen you are considered the favorite to succeed Xabi Alonso. Would a switch to master’s be attractive?
Hoeness: I only want to talk about VfB and not compare it to another team. At the moment I’m just concerned with how we can play the current season as well as possible and how we develop as a team. I can’t do anything else, I won’t take part in the speculation.
Ask: There is still huge enthusiasm at VfB, even after the last 2-3 defeat against Frankfurt your team was celebrated. Have you driven away the typical complainers and the overly critical mood in Stuttgart?
Hoeness: The atmosphere was really outstanding, even with the score at 0:3. That was definitely because the people in the stadium noticed that we never gave up and just kept pushing. It was a game in which we played very courageously and intensely, the result didn’t suit our performance. It was extraordinary how the fans supported us.
Ask: Is the loan from the fans so big that it lasts for the entire season?
Hoeness: People have a very keen sense of what era VfB comes from. You notice whether the team is giving everything and how they perform. There’s not much you can blame the team for.
Ask: VfB missed their fourth penalty in a row against Frankfurt. Will penalties be trained harder in the next few weeks?
Hoeness: We’ve had this issue for a long time and are working on it. We may need to do more. I think you have to deal with it offensively by training it and getting security through training.
Ask: VfB has eleven national players during the current international break. Does that still sound like a dream to you – and as a coach, how much do you struggle with the international breaks?
Hoeness: The nominations are an absolute honor. The side effect, of course, is that the boys don’t have the opportunity to take a breather. But there is no whining or negative thoughts at all.
Ask: Angelo Stiller had to leave the DFB injured. They first brought him to Hoffenheim, then to VfB, and now he is a national player. Was it clear to you that he could keep up with the DFB team straight away?
Hoeness: Yes, he showed that again and again. In Hoffenheim I immediately had the feeling that he would be a really good Bundesliga player. He showed this impressively at VfB at the very latest. When he is challenged, there are no upper limits for him. Even at the highest Champions League level.
Ask: Are Toni Kroos comparisons justified?
Hoeness: With Toni Kroos we’re talking about a career that couldn’t be bigger. That’s why it wouldn’t be doing Ange any favors. But if we look purely at the sporting profile, he’s not that far away. Ange has already shown that he can shape a team and dictate his team’s game. When referring to this, I think comparisons are appropriate.
Ask: FC Barcelona and Hansi Flick were already interested in him in the summer. If Stiller develops like this, VfB probably won’t be his last stop…
Hoeness: That’s a statement that can be made like that. But that also means that it is possible that Angelo will continue to take these development steps together with VfB for quite some time. He realizes that he occupies a central position here. That’s why I hope he wants to take the next steps here.
Ask: Winter break is coming soon. Do you want reinforcements in defense or central midfield?
Hoeness: This isn’t about ‘make a wish’. We will discuss this internally and find out whether we still need someone. We will look at how we have played so far and whether we will be active again due to injury issues.
Ask: What did you think when Leon Goretzka was linked to VfB?
Hoeness: That was completely new for me. Leon Goretzka is an outstanding player. But the name was never discussed internally.
The article was written for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT PICTURE, BILD) written and first published in SPORT BILD.
