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Sebastian Hoeness

Photo: Selim Sudheimer / Getty Images

Perhaps it was the fear of losing Sebastian Hoeneß to FC Bayern, but probably also his astonishing record: within just ten months, the 41-year-old coach transformed VfB Stuttgart from a relegation candidate to a serious contender for the Champions League.

So what could be more obvious than to quickly extend the contract with Hoeneß until 2027?

When VfB announced the early extension of the agreement for another two years before the home game on Friday (8:30 p.m.; stream: DAZN) against Union Berlin, those responsible were almost overwhelmed with praise.

Sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth, for example, emphasized in the message from the third-placed team that the former VfB youth player Hoeneß was "of such importance for our further sporting development as no other person in the club at the moment."

VfB players are also exciting for the DFB again

The development since April 30, 2023, when Hoeneß took on a kind of suicide mission in Stuttgart, is more than remarkable: VfB, which appeared more confident from one day to the next, only saved itself from relegation through relegation, and the Swabians have been playing the best since then season in the club's history.

Participation in the Champions League seems possible; VfB will almost certainly play internationally next season.

Hoeneß gave the club "a new sporting perspective in times of great need; it was his determination that carried away many people inside and outside the club," praised Wohlgemuth.

CEO Alexander Wehrle added no less respectfully that Hoeneß “believed in the potential of the team and the entire club and put things on the right track with great commitment.”

Through his work, Hoeneß has also made many of his players interesting for national coach Julian Nagelsmann.

DFB sports director Rudi Völler has already announced that “some” Stuttgart players will be seen at the international matches on March 23rd in Lyon against France and three days later in Frankfurt against the Netherlands.

In addition to Chris Führich, who has already been appointed, it is likely to be Deniz Undav, Maximilian Mittelstädt and Waldemar Anton.

Of course, Hoeneß has fundamentally different priorities.

"Our goal must be," he said, "to permanently establish VfB in the top half of the table again."

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