Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart will present its new head coach Bruno Labbadia at a press conference on Monday. The recently installed sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth and CEO Alexander Wehrle also answer the journalists’ questions.
sport.de reports today from 1 p.m. at this point in the live ticker from the Stuttgart PK.
+++ Wohlgemuth, Labbadia and Wehrle via Gentner and Wimmer +++
Wohlgemuth: “Christian Gentner (who will be the new head of the licensed players department on January 1st, editor’s note) was already present last week and the training camp was part of the planning. We hope that he will address the team differently, give us different insights. He has to got to know a few more things, a few weeks ago he was still on the football pitch.”
Labbadia: “It suits VfB that they bring back a man like that. He was also my captain at the time and can give the players a lot. He can be a real support for the young players.”
Wehrle: “We would have liked to keep Michael Wimmer. But he decided to take on the role of head coach. We respect that.”
+++ Labbadia on his clear football plan +++
“It doesn’t matter what I want, but: What can the team do? What can they do particularly well? How do we manage to eliminate the weaknesses? The goal is to see: How can we win another game away from home? It There are advantages and disadvantages of working with a young team. In a phase when things are not going well, there are often a lack of bases. We have to reset everything to a certain extent. It starts today. It’s never a reproach to my predecessor when I say: What was bad before? Nevertheless, we are here in 16th place. We have to work on that now. I have to get the feeling in the next few days what we have to work on.”
+++ Wehrle about working with the “young wild ones” +++
“We want to inspire people with attacking, passionate football and work with young players. Ultimately, however, we will also measure it by sporting ability and success. The identification of the fans with the squad is very important. But I’m very sure that we got the trust of the fans with our way.”
+++ Wehrle about working with Sami Khedira +++
“We have a clear plan. Sami Khedira is an advisor to the board of directors. I value his expertise very much.”
+++ Labbadia on the subject of ski bans +++
“I appeal to the players to make decisions that are for the club. But everyone has to know that for themselves. There used to be clauses in the contracts.”
+++ Wehrle to criticize the personnel decisions ++++
“We have quality in the squad. VfB is a traditional club. We should all concentrate on staying in the league and let our sporting success be measured after the season. For that we need calm and staying in the league. I’m sure we can do it. ”
+++ Wohlgemuth and Labbadia about the squad +++
Wohlgemuth: “I think the individual quality in the squad is very good. There is also a unity as a team. The reflex to reach for the first drawer and get new staff doesn’t go far enough for me. We get an idea and look inside next week or two.”
Labbadia: “Fabian said it correctly. I have a picture from afar. Now it’s time to get a picture on the spot and see: where’s the problem? This team that’s here now has to get a line. We want each other prepare well for the second half of the season. It’s a bit too early to say that we have to act.”
+++ Wehrle about the radical cut +++
“Everything has to be subordinated to staying up. We have a path that we want to continue with attacking football and young players. We have a clear idea of how we want to develop VfB Suttgart beyond the current season.”
+++ Feeling good about working with a small budget +++
“It’s nothing new for me, although I don’t know how much budget I have available here. It’s important to put together a mentality so that it fits. Hard work with the right mix of joy – that’s how we do it.”
+++ Wohlgemuth about working in the 2nd league +++
“The mechanisms are very similar to the first division. We basically started from scratch every summer in Paderborn. I feel very well prepared.”
+++ Wehrle on the 2nd league as a treasure trove for new staff +++
“It’s essentially about the area of competence and responsibility. Fabian brings a good mix of experience with him, it doesn’t depend on first or second league.”
+++ Labbadia on the upcoming preparation +++
“The art in a phase like this is: What is the priority? I could name 100 things that we could do. We have to get into the heads of the players and have a lot of conversations. We have to bring the team together. The work outside the training ground is maybe even more important than the work on the pitch. Today you have to talk to players a lot more than before. But I do that anyway. But the work on the pitch is irreplaceable. It is important that we give this young team a plan and show them the way . We are all responsible for the joy together. It is up to us. We have to get the motivation out of each individual. I’m looking forward to that.”
+++ Labbadia on his decision to return to VfB +++
“I felt from the first moment how much Alexander Wehrle and Fabian wanted me. We had the feeling: It fits. That was the main point. I kept watching VfB. I have two very good friends here and I was For example, always in contact with the doctors here. The club already has a power, in all directions. If you manage to take the club one step forward again – that appeals to me, I find that exciting. It’s certainly not them The easiest task, but I probably always need a certain thrill. For a long time I made a conscious decision not to go in. Now I had the feeling that the timing was right. If we want to turn things around, we, including Alexander and Fabian, have to speak in one voice. The feeling is good at first. The fact is. Now my focus is just the first few weeks or months and not thinking too much into the future.”
+++ Feeling good about Labbadia +++
“We quickly agreed to sign Bruno Labbadia. Of course I was involved in the decision.”
+++ VfB trainer Labbadia on his commitment +++
“It was clear to me that I had to go to Stuttgart as soon as possible, last Wednesday. We were able to do a lot in the short time we had and prepare a lot for today, so the focus is now only on the team. Fabian and I introduced ourselves to the team today and have already tried to give them something to take away. I have to get a quick overview now. I’ve done a lot of video studies and read statistics. But when you come to a team, you also see other things “We have a clear plan, we gave it to the team today. Despite the difficult situation, we shouldn’t neglect to have fun. There’s enough to do, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. Nobody needs a relegation battle, but if you do you take a lot with you. But until then, the path will be very rocky. I observe the competitors and how they work. We took stock. Now it’s about them roll up your sleeves.”
+++ VfB CEO Alexander Wehrle on the Labbadia personnel +++
“We are in a relegation battle. A possible relegation would not be comparable to the descents in 2016 and 2019. A possible relegation would mean a loss of more than 40 million euros in sales. So the situation is serious. Bruno Labbadia accepts this situation. He can stay in the league and is in the able to stabilize a team after they have been relegated. He is also able to give young players a chance, see Toni Rüdiger or Timo Werner. He is convinced of the quality of our team. He is a very meticulous coach who works with a lot of passion and energy lives 24 hours football. That’s exactly what we need.”
+++ VfB sports director Wohlgemuth on his move +++
“I would like to say a big thank you to those responsible in Paderborn. Without their willingness to negotiate, the event would have had to take place without me today. It was my goal to get into the first division. If you’re offered the sporting performance at VfB Stuttgart, you have to , think about it very intensively. VfB is a traditional club with great economic power. Looking up. Alex Wehrle and Sami Khedira didn’t have to talk to me for very long.”
+++ VfB CEO Alexander Wehrle on Fabian Wohlgemuth +++
“I’m glad that we were both able to convince of our path. Fabian Wohlgemuth has made an industry for himself in recent years. He has everything for a sports director. He has lived through many stations and taken on responsibility, so he is involved in all areas Expertise equipped. He will also bring a lot of impetus into the VfB path. He has proven that he can work with oversight means. He can work with young players and is a team player. We are ready and competently positioned. Welcome to Stuttgart, Fabian Cheerfulness.”
+++ The new man enters the stage +++
Coach Bruno Labbadia, sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth and CEO Alexander Wehrle take their seats. The first questions and answers will start immediately.
+++ It will start soon! +++
In a few minutes we expect coach Bruno Labbadia, sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth and CEO Alexander Wehrle on the podium.
+++ Many open questions at VfB Stuttgart +++
- How do you want Bruno Labbadia lead VfB Stuttgart, threatened with relegation, back into calm waters?
- Will the new head coach get fresh staff for the relegation mission in winter?
- What plan do the coach and the new sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth have for the future of the club?
- What role does CEO Alexander Wehrle want to play in the background?
Those responsible for VfB will have to answer these and other questions at today’s PK.
+++ Bruno Labbadia back at VfB Stuttgart +++
For Bruno Labbadia, the commitment at VfB Stuttgart is also a return to his old place of work.
The 56-year-old, who was installed a few days ago as the successor to Pellegrino Matarazzo, who was released in October, and interim coach Michael Wimmer, previously coached the Swabians from December 2010 to August 2013.
After taking office at the time, the faltering VfB stabilized in the Bundesliga and even reached the DFB Cup final in 2012/13.
The problem: During Labbadia’s tenure, the club had to cut its budget dramatically, and there were always disagreements about the goals. After three defeats at the beginning of the 2013/2014 season, the Swabians finally took action and pulled the rip cord.
Meanwhile, responsible people are different. What goals are sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth and CEO Alexander Wehrle now pursuing with Labbadia?
+++ Tough task for the new coach of VfB Stuttgart +++
The first competitive game under Bruno Labbadia after the winter break is on January 21 in the Mercedes-Benz Arena against 1. FSV Mainz 05.
Mainz are in tenth place in the table, five points ahead of VfB.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart are worried about staying in the Bundesliga with only 14 points (only three wins from 15 games) in the relegation zone.