Dieter Hoeneß with a surprising announcement about the game against VfB Stuttgart

Sports

Hardly any name has left such a strong mark on German football as Hoeneß. The brothers Dieter and Uli once played for FC Bayern and won numerous trophies in Munich. The latter simply continued after his early retirement and shaped FCB into the title machine it is today.

Brother Dieter also became a manager after his playing days, celebrated a championship with VfB Stuttgart and then shaped an era at Hertha BSC. He also once brought his son Sebastian with him to Berlin. As a professional he wasn’t able to follow in the great footsteps of his father and uncle, but as a coach he is now shaking up the Bundesliga.

After a mixed time at TSG Hoffenheim, the 41-year-old took over at VfB Stuttgart in the spring. Hoeneß not only led the Swabians to stay in the league, but has also established spectacular offensive football since then. This season VfB is the big surprise, greetings from third place in the table after 15 match days.

Can be happy with what his players are showing: Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß.Image: dpa / Tom Weller

Last weekend, the Swabians prepared to inflict their first defeat of the season on leaders Bayer Leverkusen. VfB played the Werkself against the wall for one half, but only scored one goal. After a better second half, Bayer’s score was 1-1. Stuttgart’s performance was still an exclamation mark. One that FC Bayern in particular should have noticed.

Because on Sunday the people of Munich will welcome the surprise team from Baden-Württemberg. For the first time in over a decade, the term “South Summit” can be used again, which was used to describe this duel in the 1990s and 2000s.

Against FC Bayern: Dieter Hoeneß wants Stuttgart to win

“You can trust VfB with anything at the moment,” Dieter Hoeneß warned the “dpa” of Bayern, who also want to rehabilitate themselves in the Bundesliga after the bitter 5-1 defeat in Frankfurt. They have already achieved this in the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Manchester United during the week.

For Dieter Hoeneß himself, the “South Summit” will be a very special duel. FCB is his favorite club and he regularly sits in the stands at home games. On the other hand, of course, he also keeps his fingers crossed for his son. With a view to Sunday, he now formulated a surprising wish.

“I have decided on a formula: VfB should win the game and Bayern should become champions again.” The bottom line is that this is probably a deal that the fan camps of both sides would be willing to accept. Bayer Leverkusen, on the other hand, may have different ideas – and could move away to seven points if Munich makes another mistake.

Feel free to stop by VfB Stuttgart: Dieter Hoeneß.Image: IMAGO / Sportfoto Rudel

It is a thought that is not currently bothering Dieter Hoeneß. Instead, he looks forward to Sunday with great anticipation. “It promises to be a good game because two strong teams meet,” he explained.

By the way, no one needs to fear that the family blessing at Christmas depends on the outcome of the game: “You can see it all in a sporty way. If Uli allows you to do it, it’s Sebastian.”

VfB Stuttgart: Sebastian Hoeneß talks about his relationship with Dieter and Uli

In an interview with “Dazn”, the VfB coach himself also gave an insight into how the Hoeneß family deals with sports internally. “When we talk about football, we do it very openly and directly because we have a lot of trust within the family. Often more is interpreted from the outside than is actually there,” he explained.

He is in regular contact with his father in particular. “He is first and foremost my father and friend, but at some point he also became my advisor, for which I am very grateful”, reported Sebastian. Dieter could “pass on experience to him, which is very valuable to me.”

With VfB Stuttgart, Sebastian Hoeneß is currently in third place in the Bundesliga.Image: dpa / Marius Becker

However, the 41-year-old does not feel that the name Hoeneß is associated with certain expectations and the resulting burden: “I don’t think about such big dimensions at all when it comes to the name ‘Hoeneß’. Of course, it’s more exciting for outsiders .”

He never allowed discussions about whether his name would have made things easier or more difficult for him. “It was always right and important not to worry about it, but to be who you are“, he looked back. His current results with VfB Stuttgart prove him right.