At the beginning of December 2022, VfB Stuttgart pulled the ripcord for the first time and ordered “fireman” Bruno Labbadia to the coaching bench, 13 games later it was clear: the rescue mission failed miserably. After just one win from twelve league games (3 draws/7 defeats), Labbadia had to vacate his place again, with Sebastian Hoeneß the next trainer trying his luck on the sidelines of the Swabians – apparently a very difficult task.
The problems that have pushed VfB Stuttgart to the bottom of the Bundesliga table in recent weeks are probably not just to be found in the coaching staff. A report by “Bild” suggests that the course was already set wrong in the Ländle in the summer.
Above all, the departure of top striker Sasa Kalajdzic, who switched to Wolverhampton Wanderers for 18 million euros, was apparently dealt with anything but well by the Stuttgart team.
Although Luca Pfeiffer was signed for 2.85 million euros by the Danish first division club FC Midtjylland and Juan José Perea for 2.4 million euros by PAS Giannina from Greece, the duo has only scored one league goal so far.
Has VfB Stuttgart burned over five million euros
In his 15 mostly short appearances, Perea only scored against FC Bayern, while Pfeiffer failed to score once in 17 league games.
The “Bild” now reports that “the Bundesliga suitability” of the two attackers is now even “doubted internally”. Would mean: The Stuttgart burned more than five million euros in the summer.
According to the report, Thomas Kastanaras’ ability to survive in the top German division is also questioned in the club, but the 20-year-old from his own youth has hardly had the chance to prove himself. So far, just 70 professional minutes have been booked.