DFB Cup
How Sebastian Hoeneß is successful at VfB
Works successfully at VfB Stuttgart: Sebastian Hoeneß. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
VfB Stuttgart surprises and is planning the next coup in the DFB Cup. A success factor is the coach from a famous football family, who could be an option for FC Bayern in the future.
Uncle Uli Hoeneß is impressed by his nephew’s attractive football FC Bayern Munich is eyeing him as a coaching candidate for the future. And at VfB Stuttgart, Sebastian Hoeneß can currently be honored as Man of the Year. Eight months ago, the 41-year-old took over the then bottom team in the Bundesliga and achieved a remarkable change.
With the rapid rise from a crisis club to a Champions League contender, Hoeneß is also coming into focus. On Wednesday (8.45 p.m. / ZDF and Sky) he can increase the attention again at football prime time: With the Swabians, Hoeneß wants to slow down Borussia Dortmund’s ambitions in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup and to improve his own chances of winning the title in this strange season with the early one Increase the failure of many first division teams.
Hoeneß himself appeared calm as usual on Tuesday, but was looking forward to the knockout duel: “There is hardly a greater challenge in this round than playing against Borussia Dortmund,” said the coach: “It will be a nice setting. We have the opportunity “To show ourselves at our best, that’s what we intend to do.”
Euphoria triggered
Hoeneß sets an example of staying grounded. But he approaches all of his challenges with optimism. He triggered a euphoria around VfB that had not been seen for a long time. “The way they play football now makes your heart laugh,” said long-time Munich club boss Uli Hoeneß (71) on RTL in October.
Meanwhile, VfB’s development is even more remarkable. The traditional club is showing the most impressive football in a long time. The team, which was unsettled last season, plays with conviction and remarkable consistency. Hoeneß further developed the team and individual players and strengthened their self-confidence. The coach generally makes the “right decisions,” praised sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth.
Hoeneß left it open the day before the cup game whether he would play again on Wednesday with the dual leadership of Serhou Guirassy and Deniz Undav. He seems to hit the right note in the team. “One thing is simply important to me, that is communication, the leadership of the team,” said Hoeneß when asked how he would describe himself as a coach: “I believe that there is a lot of potential there.”
Important: conversations and no unrest
The “characters of the team” would benefit him: “I certainly played a part in ensuring that things are the way they are now.” It is important to him to have conversations so that there is no unrest in the team despite all the competition. “The players have to know where they stand.”
Hoeneß appears clear in his speech – also to the media – and also moderates critical topics skillfully in the difficult Stuttgart environment. Compared to his first Bundesliga position in Hoffenheim between 2020 and 2022, the family man seems to have matured. At TSG, his appearance was perhaps also characterized by a certain gratitude for his first first league opportunity.
Hoeneß and VfB – that seems to fit. “In retrospect, I’m glad that we waited for VfB despite inquiries from home and abroad because it was exactly the right club,” explained father Dieter Hoeneß recently. But his son has “all the prerequisites” to coach a Champions League club at some point.
Return to FC Bayern?
Due to the family constellation, Hoeneß’s involvement as head coach at Bayern would of course be charming. “In the long term, you can never rule out something like this,” said Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen almost two months ago on the TV channel Bild about a possible return of the former third division coach Hoeneß, who led the Bayern amateurs as promoted teams in the third division in 2019/20 . League had led to first place.
Hoeneß started at VfB last April as a helper in great need. The collaboration quickly worked and the impending fall into the second division was averted. VfB now no longer seems comparable to last season. One of the key personnel factors for the most successful first half of the season since the 2006/2007 championship season is that Hoeneß brought in his dream player, Angelo Stiller.
Thanks to a 2-1 win in the direct Bundesliga duel, the Swabians are five points ahead of runner-up Dortmund. Three and a half weeks ago the hosts were clearly the better team against disappointing Dortmund. “Why shouldn’t that be possible again on Wednesday?” said VfB sports director Wohlgemuth.