Having certified for the DFB-Pokal ultimate final week, VfB Stuttgart are in with its greatest likelihood to win silverware since its final main trophy in 2007. This might have been laborious to think about simply two years in the past, once they sat all-time low of the Bundesliga desk.
Nonetheless, since taking up 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 Might.
So, how did Hoeneß handle to take a sleeping large again to competing on the prime 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 prime division.
Only one 12 months after hanging up his boots in 2010, Hoeneß entered the dugout, teaching a lot of youth groups throughout German soccer. Within the 2019/2020 season, he undertook his first comparatively high-profile job – the Bayern reserves. On this position, Hoeneß led the newly-promoted crew 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 prime 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 the moment sit 14th within the Bundesliga), this stint taught the coach so much about prime flight soccer, classes he took with him to his present position at Stuttgart.
Tactical Set-Up
Hoeneß is comparatively tactically variable, however he has a lot of key rules and beliefs we’ll 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 prime groups, Stuttgart appears to dominate possession. Nonetheless, on account of their 4-4-2 arrange, their build-up appears completely 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 crew who strikes the ball with intent. All through his tenure, Die Roten has attacked at tempo and with a fluidity that’s harking back to a Hansi Flick facet.
Stuttgart additionally closely utilises overlapping fullbacks to create probabilities from out broad. In 4 of his 5 seasons Hoeneß has coached within the Bundesliga (together with this 12 months), his sides have registered a minimum of the third most crosses within the league. One other vital 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 alternative fullback will usually occupy area on the again publish.
Out of possession, Stuttgart could possibly be characterised as a mid-block with a really efficient counter-press. The place their line of defense 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 seeking to isolate the opposition fullback.
Present Season
Regardless of reaching the DFB-Pokal ultimate, Stuttgart have dropped to ninth within the desk this season, though they’re solely 6 factors off 4th.
This barely disappointing league type is, nevertheless, fairly simply explainable. Firstly, Stuttgart bought their prime goalscorer, Serhou Guirassy, to Borussia Dortmund over the summer season, in addition to their beginning centre again, Hiroki Ito, to Bayern Munich. These have been two large losses to the crew and their replacements are merely not on the similar 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 appeared fatigued throughout significantly busy durations of the season.
Subsequently, nonetheless competing for an additional prime 4 end while additionally reaching a cup ultimate is definitely one other very profitable season for the German supervisor.
Conclusion
Having simply signed a brand new contract till 2028, Hoeneß will probably be laborious to pry away from Stuttgart this summer season. Nonetheless, with it wanting possible a lot of high-profile golf equipment could possibly be on the lookout for managers come the tip of the season, Sebastian Hoeneß is actually a reputation to keep watch over.
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