Bundesliga
VfB no longer wants a trembling season
Stuttgart’s coach Sebastian Hoeneß sits in the press conference. photo
© Marcus Brandt/dpa
Rescuer Sebastian Hoeneß can’t celebrate VfB Stuttgart’s whereabouts in the Bundesliga for long. Those responsible ask the coach for analysis after the two wins in the relegation against HSV.
His two-month and successful rescue mission at VfB Stuttgart also left its mark on Sebastian Hoeneß. “I have to put it into perspective first. It was a brutally intense week,” said the coach after the relegation second leg at Hamburger SV.
Thanks to the 41-year-old, the club secured a place in the Bundesliga thanks to the unpopular extension of the season with a 3-1 win over the third-placed team. The Swabian first division 16 already had the first game against HSV. won 3-0 on Thursday.
“Very hard, very critical analysis”
It was “a mixture of relief, joy, a bit of emptiness,” said Hoeneß when asked about his feelings after the work was done. “Also because of the pressure that was there for weeks, months. And now especially in the two games.”
For the time being, he will have little opportunity to recover. CEO Alexander Wehrle and sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth ask for a big season analysis. “We’re happy to be able to play in the Bundesliga again,” said Wehrle. “But of course we will not go back to business as usual.”
He already said that in April: “It doesn’t matter how the season ends, we will do a very hard, very critical analysis. And then we will change a few things.” According to Wohlgemuth, those responsible will meet with the coaching team on Wednesday. The 44-year-old announced a longer meeting.
Important personnel decisions
Some important personnel decisions have already been made: Shortly before the first leg of the relegation, Stuttgart signed striker Serhou Guirassy, who had previously been on loan. The departure of Croatian international Borna Sosa, on the other hand, will hardly be preventable. Tanguy Coulibaly and Antonis Aidonis no longer have a chance in Stuttgart. Tiago Tomas, on loan from Sporting Lisbon, is too expensive.
Coach Hoeneß is not up for discussion in the analysis. He only came to VfB at the beginning of April. In eight league games, he conceded only one defeat. Then followed the two victories in the relegation. Next year he should spare VfB another trembling season.
“He immediately found a connection to the team. He had a clear idea for the game and conveyed it very well from day one,” praised Wehrle. “Sebastian is a great guy. It’s fun to talk to him and it’s certainly fun to party with him a little.”