Christoph Lother, dpa l Monday, April 3, 2023
STUTTGART – VfB Stuttgart have dismissed coach Bruno Labbadia after just four months on the job and ahead of the German Cup quarter-finals, the Bundesliga bottom club said on Monday.
They have signed former Hoffenheim coach Sebastian Hoeneß as a replacement until 2025, they said in a statement.
“We thank Bruno Labbadia for the work he has done. Bruno worked with the team from day one with great commitment and passion, but unfortunately this did not pay off in the form of points,” Stuttgart chairman Alexander Wehrle said.
Talks about Labbadia’s future had already started at the weekend after the 3-0 defeat to Union Berlin.
Stuttgart signed Labbadia for a second term as coach until 2025 last December and gave him the mission to save the club from relegation. However, he was dismissed after managing just one win from 11 Bundesliga games.
Former Germany striker Labbadia’s first term in Stuttgart was between 2010 and 2013.
Hoeneß won’t have much time to get used to his new team as he’s expected to make his debut in the German Cup quarter-finals at second-division side Nuremberg on Wednesday.
“Sebastian Hoeneß has already gained an important experience in the Bundesliga and also knows the youth academy area very well as a coach. We are sure that Sebastian is the right coach for the upcoming challenges,” Wehrle said.
Hoeneß last coaching job was at Hoffenheim between 2020 and 2022. He previously worked at the Bayern Munich under-23 team, winning the third league title in the 2019-2020 season.
“I’m really looking forward to this challenge at Stuttgart and I appreciate the trust and the good discussions with those responsible,” the coach said.
