VfB Stuttgart – Thomas Hitzlsperger stacks deep: “First think about staying in class”

CEO Thomas Hitzlsperger from VfB Stuttgart is starting the coming season modestly, despite a strong preseason. “We want to confirm the way we did last season and are first and foremost thinking about staying in the class,” said the former national soccer player in an interview with the Stuttgart newspaper and the Stuttgarter Nachrichten: “I don’t call out crazy goals and we don’t lose our grip on the ground.”

In the season after the renewed promotion, the VfB showed again and again strong performances and finished ninth in the table.

The departure of top performers such as goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina) or Gonzalo Castro (end of contract) do not worry Hitzlsperger: “We have continuity in the core of the team and – for VfB that is almost one Novelty – in the trainer and function team. Everyone knows each other, the processes are known, everyone is still as hungry for success as before. That should be a competitive advantage for us. “

Hitzlsperger’s first thoughts are about his own future. His contract as CEO ends in October 2022, an extension is possible from autumn this year. The 39-year-old has “naturally in view” and will “discuss it with the board of directors”; there have already been “positive signals”. “I don’t want to wait, I would like to do that sooner rather than later,” said Hitzlsperger.