'Sebastian Hoeneß is the best German coach' - VfB Stutgart's Angelo Stiller
Angelo Stiller has played under Sebastian Hoeneß at three different clubs, winning the 3. Liga with Bayern Munich II before reuniting in the Bundesliga at Hoffenheim and later helping revive the fortunes of current club VfB Stuttgart.
In an in-depth interview with the Bundesliga, the 25-year-old Germany international midfielder discussed Stuttgart's improving fortunes under his long-time mentor, his ambitions for the remainder of the campaign for club and country and more...
Bundesliga: At what point is the season considered a success for Stuttgart, currently fourth in the Bundesliga and through to the DFB Cup semi-finals?
Angelo Stiller: "Yes, I think that can be answered on May 23 or 24, then it can be answered definitively, but I already believe that we are playing an extremely good season so far with good football, and I believe that everyone in the city, everyone who watches us, appreciates what we are trying to do and what we stand for in football."
Bundesliga: You’ve contributed a lot to the team’s success with your outstanding performances. At what point would you be satisfied from a footballing perspective?
Stiller: "I think when we have maximum team success. I believe the main focus is how the team performs, because if the team performs, then I also perform better. That is why I think we hopefully still have eight games left and want to make them as successful as possible, and then I would say that I have had a very good season and I am very satisfied with myself."
Bundesliga: From your personal perspective, would anything else need to happen after the current season to be completely satisfied?
Stiller: "Yes, I think it is always a bonus if you can play in a World Cup. I think that is the biggest thing for every footballer. If you can be part of that, it is the icing on the cake of the season."
Bundesliga: How do you deal with all the headlines currently surrounding you? They are all based on your sporting quality, which is something positive, but at the same time you become a public figure with many topics others do not have to deal with.
Stiller: "I think that is definitely the case. When you are more in focus, more things can hit you and affect you, but at the beginning of my career it affected me more. Now I have learned that it should not really matter to me. What is important is what the club thinks, what the coach thinks, and what my teammates think. That is the only thing that matters to me now. Because of social media, Instagram, Twitter, and everything else, everyone can form an opinion and say what they think. Everyone can act like an internet warrior, so you should not listen to that. It does not affect me personally."
Bundesliga: Darts world champion Luke Littler named you as his favourite German player. How does that feel to you?
Stiller: "That is great, because he is also my favourite darts player. He is currently the best in the world, and when he says something like that, it is always nice, because I really like him. I have also been to Ally Pally myself. I really like darts, so it is great to hear something like that."
Bundesliga: And once again, it brings us back to the headlines. When an icon like Littler says something like that and, as a Manchester United fan, even adds “come join us, we need help,” does that annoy you or is it an honour?
Stiller: "Both, I would say. It is part of the business that rumours arise and things are said. You should not deal with it too much and just do your own thing."
Watch: Angelo Stiller - pass master
Bundesliga: The title race is almost decided, but the battle for UEFA Champions League spots is very exciting, and you are right in the middle of it. Four of your remaining six Bundesliga matches are against top teams: Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt. Is that more of an opportunity or a risk, especially after the recent loss to Borussia Dortmund?
Stiller: "I think it depends on the day. You never win a game automatically, no matter who you play against. It is often even harder against teams at the bottom because they are fighting relegation and often pick up points there. That can be an advantage. We just have to take it game by game and approach every match as if it were the last. We know it is about the Champions League and we want to get there, so we cannot afford mistakes."
Bundesliga: Has the pressure on your team changed in recent weeks, perhaps especially after the game against Dortmund?
Stiller: "I think you only put pressure on yourself. You want maximum success. That is where the competitive mindset comes from. You do not play just to play, you want to win something and achieve something. That is why we play football. Everyone knows that we need to win as many games as possible. It will be difficult, but we have to approach every game like it is the last."
Bundesliga: The situation for Champions League qualification would ease if the Bundesliga gets a fifth qualification spot. Spain is currently ahead in the coefficient rankings, but catching them is still possible. Bayern would need to eliminate Real Madrid, Freiburg would need to beat Celta Vigo, and Mainz would also have to progress. How much of a fan of other Bundesliga teams do you become in that situation as a VfB player?
Stiller: "Of course you become a fan, but in general you always support German teams in European competitions. We should support each other for German football. In this case, you follow it even more closely because it is about the fifth Champions League spot, but we do not want to depend on that. We want to finish in the top four."
Bundesliga: You are a true Munich native and came through at Bayern, where Sebastian Hoeneß already coached you at youth level. Does that automatically create a special connection to Bayern, and are matches against them something special?
Stiller: "Yes, Bayern is always something special for me. I played there for 11 years. My family and friends still live there, so I visit often. It is always nice to play against Bayern or see them succeed in the Champions League."
Bundesliga: Do you watch Bayern matches to learn something, for entertainment, or to understand what world-class football looks like? And what do Bayern actually have to fear from VfB?
Stiller: "I generally do not watch much football because we have games or training ourselves, but when I do, I watch closely to see how they play and why they are so successful. You try to learn from the best. In Munich it will be difficult, but we have to play with courage from the first second. Then you also need a bit of luck. If we take our chances and fight for 90 minutes, we can compete."
Bundesliga: Level on points with RB Leipzig, three ahead of Hoffenheim, four ahead of Leverkusen - how exciting is that situation, and what would playing in the Champions League with VfB mean to you?
Stiller: "It makes it extremely exciting when several teams fight for a few places. It is extra motivation. Everyone wants to show that they belong there and that we deserve it. Champions League would mean everything, not only for me but for the whole club and the city, because we deserve it and play very attractive football."
Bundesliga: You mentioned earlier that games against teams near the bottom can be more difficult. How dangerous is your next opponent, Hamburg, who are not safe yet?
Stiller: "It is always more difficult against such opponents because they are fighting for everything. They have less to lose. We just have to play our game and impose our style so that it does not turn into a fight."
Bundesliga: How difficult will the match against HSV be?
Stiller: "Very difficult. We saw that in Hamburg when we made a poor decision at the end. They are having a very good season, play good football, and belong in the top division, so it will be very tough."
Bundesliga: Is that also the reason why you have occasionally dropped points against supposedly smaller clubs near the bottom of the table? Is it a mental issue?
Stiller: "It is difficult to say. It happens everywhere. Every top team drops points against lower teams. It is human. Many factors play a role, emotions, atmosphere, and mindset, and that can lead to difficulties."
Bundesliga: You have been in the top four for 15 matchdays and continuously for the last two months. Would qualifying for the Europa League be a disappointment?
Stiller: "Europa League is also something good. There are great teams and great trips. Of course, we want the Champions League, but Europa League would not be a disappointment."
Bundesliga: What speaks in favour of VfB qualifying for the Champions League?
Stiller: "Our style of play. People enjoy watching us and know what we stand for. I also think our fans would create a great atmosphere in Europe."
Bundesliga: Describe your perfect season from now on.
Stiller: "My perfect season would definitely be qualifying for the Champions League, finishing third in the Bundesliga, winning the DFB Cup, and being nominated for the World Cup squad."
Bundesliga: What significance does coach Sebastian Hoeneß have for you, the club, and its success?
Stiller: "He is very important. For everyone here he is a huge factor. He is authentic, connects with everyone, and has put the club back on a successful path. He has helped me a lot, both in football and personally."
Bundesliga: Your journey with him is quite unique. How has your relationship developed over the years?
Stiller: "Trust is the most important thing. As a player you need trust from the coach, and the coach needs reliability from the player. It is mutual trust, and I am very grateful for that."
Bundesliga: If you think about the best German coach, does only one name come to mind?
Stiller: "Yes, 100 percent. Only him, the boss, Mr. Hoeneß."
Bundesliga: Why Sebastian Hoeneß?
Stiller: "I think no one else could have achieved what he has achieved, taking the club from 18th place to the top, winning the DFB Cup, and qualifying for Europe. He has also improved every single player and given everyone confidence. Not many coaches can do that."
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