Schwaben Revival
VfB Stuttgart have produced their best campaign in years, securing Champions League qualification on the final day of the Bundesliga season and reaching the DFB-Pokal final. For a club that began the season without star striker Nick Woltemade — sold to Newcastle — and faced significant injuries to key forwards Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic, the achievement under head coach Sebastian Hoeness is nothing short of remarkable.
Speaking to SvenskaFans, Stuttgart-redaktionen editor Magnus Falk captured the mood perfectly: “I am very satisfied with this Swabian team. I did not think they had this in them at the start of the season.”
The Hoeness Factor
Sebastian Hoeness emerged as the architect of Stuttgart’s renaissance. His man-management skills created an environment of harmony in a squad that had historically been prone to internal friction. “Hoeness has managed the squad well and allowed everyone to play. Harmony in the team and the club, which is rarely associated with VfB,” Falk noted.
The coach’s tactical flexibility allowed Stuttgart to absorb the loss of Woltemade and cope with the long-term absences of Undav and Demirovic. He rotated effectively, kept fringe players engaged, and built a collective spirit that proved decisive in tight matches during the run-in.
Key Performers and Transfer Business
Moroccan midfielder Bilal El Khannouss was the standout signing of the season, providing creative drive and consistent goal contributions from midfield. In contrast, Jeremy Areválo was deemed the worst acquisition, contributing only a handful of goals for the reserve side.
The club has already moved to address its primary weakness — central midfield — by signing Grischa Prömel. However, the left flank and right-back positions remain areas requiring reinforcements if Stuttgart are to be competitive in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League next term.
Stars to Keep and Rising Talents
The list of indispensable players includes Angelo Stiller, Deniz Undav, Chris Führich, Jeff Chabot, Jamie Leweling, and Ermedin Demirovic. Ramón Hendriks was named the surprise package of the season, while youth prospects Finn Jeltsch and Luca Jacques impressed in their opportunities.
Looking ahead, teenage defender Noah Darwich is expected to break into the senior squad, while goalkeeper Dennis Seimen is being groomed to eventually replace Alexander Nübel between the posts. Stuttgart’s women’s team also enjoyed a historic campaign, winning promotion to the Frauen-Bundesliga, while the U19s lifted the DFB-Pokal and the U17s won the league title.
Champions League Awaits
With European nights returning to the MHPArena, Stuttgart enter a new era. “I believe in another top-placed finish next year and a good Champions League campaign,” Falk predicted. For a club that has cycled between mid-table mediocrity and genuine quality over the past decade, this feels like a turning point.
Source attribution: Based on analysis from SvenskaFans Stuttgart-redaktionen.
