Having certified for the DFB-Pokal last final week, VfB Stuttgart are in with its finest likelihood to win silverware since its final main trophy in 2007. This may have been arduous to think about simply two years in the past, once they sat all-time low of the Bundesliga desk.
Nonetheless, since taking on in April 2023, Sebastian Hoeneß has not solely guided the facet to security by way of a relegation play-off however, in his first full season, guided Die Roten (The Reds) to a 2nd place end and Champions League qualification. Now, the 42-year-old German coach is hoping to win the membership’s fourth ever German Cup in Could.
So, how did Hoeneß handle to take a sleeping large again to competing on the high of German soccer?
Background
Hoeneß is the son of former Bayern Munich/Germany striker, Dieter Hoeneß and the nephew of German legend and Bayern president, Uli Hoeneß.
Naturally, this pushed the younger coach into the world of soccer, making 174 skilled appearances as an attacking midfielder for Hertha Berlin II and Hoffenheim. Nonetheless, he by no means made an look within the German high division.
Only one yr after hanging up his boots in 2010, Hoeneß entered the dugout, teaching quite a few youth groups throughout German soccer. Within the 2019/2020 season, he undertook his first comparatively high-profile job – the Bayern reserves. On this function, Hoeneß led the newly-promoted group to the third division title and, in doing so, turned the primary ever reserve facet to win 3. Liga.
After this, he missed out Bundesliga 2 and took a job within the high division with Hoffenheim in 2020. After ending eleventh in his first season and ninth in his second, he parted by way of mutual consent. While removed from a failure (Hoffenheim at present sit 14th within the Bundesliga), this stint taught the coach rather a lot about high flight soccer, classes he took with him to his present function at Stuttgart.
Tactical Set-Up
Hoeneß is comparatively tactically variable, however he has quite a few key ideas and beliefs we are going to see in his groups regardless of the formation.
Stuttgart mostly arrange in a 4-4-2 formation. Nonetheless, all through his profession we’ve additionally seen Hoeneß’s sides arrange in a 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2.
Like most high groups, Stuttgart appears to be like to dominate possession. Nonetheless, as a consequence of their 4-4-2 arrange, their build-up appears to be like totally different to your typical possession-based groups. Within the 2023/2024 season, Hoeneß’s facet had the third-highest possession within the league (57%) paired with the very best variety of progressive passes per 90 minutes. This reveals a group who strikes the ball with intent. All through his tenure, Die Roten has attacked at tempo and with a fluidity that’s paying homage to a Hansi Flick facet.
Stuttgart additionally closely utilises overlapping fullbacks to create probabilities from out extensive. In 4 of his 5 seasons Hoeneß has coached within the Bundesliga (together with this yr), his sides have registered not less than the third most crosses within the league. One other necessary facet of that is their willingness to fill the field with choices. Along with the 2 centre forwards, the midfielders are granted permission to get into the field when applicable, and the other fullback will usually occupy area on the again put up.
Out of possession, Stuttgart could possibly be characterised as a mid-block with a really efficient counter-press. The place their defensive position sits relies upon upon their opponents, usually pushing up towards weaker groups, however it’s by no means too excessive. Moreover, when set defensively, they search for sure triggers on when to press, usually trying to isolate the opposition fullback.
Present Season
Regardless of reaching the DFB-Pokal last, Stuttgart have dropped to ninth within the desk this season, though they’re solely 6 factors off 4th.
This barely disappointing league kind is, nonetheless, fairly simply explainable. Firstly, Stuttgart offered their high goalscorer, Serhou Guirassy, to Borussia Dortmund over the summer time, in addition to their beginning centre again, Hiroki Ito, to Bayern Munich. These had been two big losses to the group and their replacements are merely not on the identical degree.
Furthermore, Stuttgart has a really low switch expenditure and, due to this, their squad is kind of skinny. Having to additionally compete within the Champions League this season put an actual pressure on the health of key gamers who weren’t allowed a lot relaxation. This has not solely meant Stuttgart have suffered from accidents however have additionally regarded fatigued throughout significantly busy intervals of the season.
Due to this fact, nonetheless competing for one more high 4 end while additionally reaching a cup last is definitely one other very profitable season for the German supervisor.
Conclusion
Having simply signed a brand new contract till 2028, Hoeneß can be arduous to pry away from Stuttgart this summer time. Nonetheless, with it trying seemingly quite a few high-profile golf equipment could possibly be on the lookout for managers come the tip of the season, Sebastian Hoeneß is definitely a reputation to keep watch over.
