VfB Stuttgart 2.0: How Sebastian Hoeneß rebuilt after a summer of setbacks

After a turbulent summer transfer window in which Nick Woltemade and Enzo Millot left the club, VfB Stuttgart look back to their free-flowing best.

On the face of it, Stuttgart’s heavy 5-0 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich back in early December was as comprehensive a result as you’ll likely to see this season. However, VfB boss Sebastian Hoeneß had a rather different perspective on his side's loss against the Bundesliga champions.

“The team worked their way into the game, showed passion, created chances, and tried a lot,” Hoeneß observed. Reflecting on a Nikolas Nartey goal that was ruled out for offside, he added: “If that one stands, the match could have developed differently. At that point, the game was relatively open.” 

Despite the skewed scoreline, Hoeneß had reasons to be optimistic heading into 2026. As it turned out, his instincts were spot on.

Since that game, Stuttgart have gone unbeaten in the Bundesliga, recording big wins against Bayer Leverkusen (4-1), Werder Bremen (4-0) and Borussia Monchengladbach (3-0) - all of which came away from home. It’s a run of form that has lifted the side up to fifth in the Bundesliga table – level on points with RB Leipzig.

With a DFB Cup quarter-final to come, alongside a UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off, Stuttgart are hitting form at just the right time.

It didn't always look this promising, though. Coming into his fourth season at Stuttgart, Hoeneß was immediately tasked with replacing two standout performers. The departure of Nick Woltemade to Newcastle United, fresh on the back of a breakout domestic campaign, was far from ideal preparation.

And yet, arguably the bigger gap to fill in the squad was that of Enzo Millot, an integral part of Hoeneß’s midfield machine, who left the club for Al-Ahli. Neither player would be replaced in a like-for-like sense, but Stuttgart did reinvest the transfer funds raised by signing youngsters Badredine Bouanani, Thiago Tomás, Lorenzo Assignon and Bilal El Khannouss, amongst others.

Stuttgart have gone unbeaten in the Bundesliga since a heavy home loss to Bayern Munich in December. - IMAGO/Pressefoto Rudel/Robin Rudel

El Khannouss aside (who has six goal contributions in 11 Bundesliga starts), the summer arrivals have taken some time to settle, but if Hoeneß’s record proves anything, it’s that his faith in youth – almost always – pays off in the long run.

While two of last season’s DFB Cup heroes are no longer in Stuttgart, those who remained in Swabia have arguably raised their game to a new level.

Maximilian Mittelstädt remains part of the Germany squad thanks to his consistent performances, while defender Jeff Chabot and forward Denis Undav have been similarly impressive of late.

Undav, in particular, has done his best to mitigate the departure of Woltemade, with 11 goals in 12 league starts already. On the wing, the ever-reliable Jamie Leweling is also doing all he can to catch the eye of Julian Nagelsmann, with nine goal involvements of his own.

For all of the change that has taken place at the MHP Arena in recent years, it is a familiar core of players – alongside an equally familiar head coach – who are steering Stuttgart towards the UEFA Champions League places.

Alongside the usual suspects, Hoeneß’s supporting cast has also stepped up to the plate in recent weeks. Ermedin Demirović, Chris Führich and Nikolas Nartey have all scored crucial goals since the turn of the calendar year, providing their manager with several selection headaches in the process.

Last season, Stuttgart’s remarkable DFB Cup triumph stood in stark contrast to their disappointing Bundesliga campaign, as they slumped to a ninth-place finish. 

Hoeneß is hoping to take his side on a deep run into the Europa League knockout rounds. - IMAGO/JOERAN STEINSIEK

Stretched by a demanding Champions League campaign, Hoeneß appears determined to learn the lessons of the past by rotating his squad where appropriate and challenging on all fronts this term.

Whether that proves to be realistic in the long run remains to be seen, but the early indications are certainly promising for all concerned with the club. After a summer recruitment drive ostensibly focused on adding depth to an already talented squad, Stuttgart look as well placed to challenge on multiple fronts as they have under Hoeneß.

A few months shy of his four-year anniversary as club manager, the German has now laid foundations that feel durable rather than fleeting — a significant achievement in modern Stuttgart history that shouldn’t be overlooked. 

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