Speaking to Sport1, VfB Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth has spoken about the changes in the perception surrounding the team in recent weeks.
At the weekend, Stuttgart travel to Munich to face Bayern. In the last match-up between the two of them, Stuttgart comfortably beat Bayern 3-1 in a game that helped them secure second place. On whether Stuttgart are on its way to compete with Bayern more often, Wohlgemuth said:
“We should be careful and not wear every jacket that is handed to us. We are VfB Stuttgart and we are pursuing our long-term goals. It is a long way back to where this club has traditionally been. The many positive responses we are currently receiving will not make us realize that we still have a long way to go. FC Bayern is the measure of all things in Germany. We had little to gain there last year, but we feel very well prepared.”
Under head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, Stuttgart has been transformed from a relegation candidate to one of the most exciting teams in the league. This change has also seen several players take their careers to the next level. In the last international break, six players from Stuttgart were called up to the Germany squad with Deniz Undav, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Chris Führich, Angelo Stiller, Alexander Nübel and Jamie Leweling all featuring in the October break.
This has resulted in some people dubbing the team ‘VfB Deutschland’, on this name, Wohlgemuth said:
“”VfB Germany”? We should keep our feet on the ground. Humility was not just a slogan for last season. FC Bayern is not just a sporting giant, but also an economic one that has developed over decades into what we see today. Two years ago, we ourselves were eyeing the second division more than the top. Our story over the past few months is good. We are confident, but we will definitely not confuse courage with megalomania. The role of favourite has clearly been taken.”
Despite their performances last season, Stuttgart have had an up-and-down start to the season. With juggling the Champions League, on top of their league commitments, Stuttgart are eighth in the Bundesliga after drawing three games already, while they also have one point in the Champions League after a loss to Real Madrid and drawing with Sparta Prague.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
