New Delhi: In the midst of mounting rumors about VfB Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß’s future, former Bayern Munich striker Sandro Wagner has reportedly emerged as a possible candidate to step in at the Bundesliga club if Hoeneß leaves. Hoeneß’s successful tenure at Stuttgart has caught the attention of other clubs, notably in the Premier League and Bundesliga, sparking speculation about his next career move.
Hoeneß has been instrumental in stabilizing Stuttgart’s performance, with his leadership proving crucial in guiding the club away from relegation struggles to competing in the UEFA Champions League. However, his success hasn’t gone unnoticed, and he was reportedly on Manchester United’s radar for a possible coaching role this summer, before he rejected their advances. However, he still has clubs sniffing around him with current Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen being one of them.
Leverkusen could reportedly look to bring Hoeneß in if current manager Xabi Alonso decides to leave. Alonso has been linked with a move away from the BayArena with Real Madrid being touted as a possible destination for the Spaniard, once Carlo Ancelotti leaves. Hoeneß has a release clause in his contract worth around €7 million, which is reportedly valid starting this summer. Stuttgart is said to be evaluating their options for potential successors, with Wagner standing out as a notable choice.
Why are VfB Stuttgart targeting Sandro Wagner?
Wagner is a former striker with an impressive playing career in the Bundesliga and for Germany, and has quickly risen through the coaching ranks and is currently serving as Julian Nagelsmann’s assistant for the German national team. Having extended his contract with the German team until after the 2026 World Cup, Wagner has proven his capabilities alongside Nagelsmann.
Before joining Nagelsmann’s set-up, where he is building on his coaching skills, he had a brief but impactful tenure as head coach of SpVgg Unterhaching, where he guided his club to promotion to 3. Liga, the third tier of German football. His efforts have attracted attention from several Bundesliga clubs over the past year, including his former club Hoffenheim and even Bayer Leverkusen.
🚨⚪️🔴 VfB Stuttgart is eager to keep Sebastian #Hoeneß. However, they are already preparing for a possible departure in summer to be ready for the worst-case scenario.
🔎 As a result, #VfB are exploring the coaching market, with Sandro #Wagner being one of the candidates under… pic.twitter.com/pvEXDGuewz
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) November 5, 2024
Stuttgart’s interest in Wagner comes as a strategic move to secure a forward-thinking, ambitious coach who has experience with high-pressure environments. Despite being relatively new to coaching, Wagner’s insight into the German game, coupled with his experience under Nagelsmann, adds to his appeal for a Bundesliga club like Stuttgart, especially given their current aim to rebuild and strengthen.
While Wagner seems to be one of the top candidates, Stuttgart is reportedly evaluating other names as well, though they remain undisclosed at this point. The decision hinges on Hoeneß’s future plans, with the €7 million release clause potentially making it easier for interested clubs to acquire him in the summer. Until then, Stuttgart’s management will keep a close eye on the situation while developing a shortlist of potential candidates to ensure a smooth transition if needed.
