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VfB Stuttgart and the danger of relegation

Bruno Labbadia gathered the team around him several times on the training ground. At VfB Stuttgart, the rescue mission of the returnee began on Monday. Even before the public session, which was attended by around 100 spectators, the new coach introduced himself at a press conference – flanked by the new sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth and the still quite new chairman of the board Alexander Wehrle.

The trio Thomas Hitzlsperger, Sven Mislintat and Pellegrino Matarazzo: Once upon a time. Now others want and should keep VfB, which is badly hit both sportingly and financially, in the Bundesliga – especially Labbadia.

“It’s certainly not the easiest task I’ve chosen,” said the 56-year-old. “It’s probably because I always need a certain thrill and a challenge.” The club has “power in all directions,” says the new coach. “You have the opportunity to take a step forward with him.” That also appealed to him.

Labbadia announces talks

Labbadia, who had been a VfB coach from December 2010 to August 2013 and had been without a club for almost two years, reported that he had made a conscious decision for a long time not to take on a new job. Now is the right time to return, he said. “The timing is good now because I have the opportunity to influence the team. She needs that too.”

Labbadia announced many talks for the coming days. “We have to get into the players’ minds,” said the football coach, who didn’t want to reveal much about his tactical plans just yet. First he has to take stock and get a feel for what the team needs. There is a lot to do, but things have to be prioritized properly.


A new community at VfB: coach Bruno Labbadia (left), CEO Alexander Wehrle (middle) and sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth
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Image: dpa

He attaches great importance to communication, according to Labbadia. That’s one of the reasons why he called the players three times this week at 7.30 a.m. to the club grounds and to have breakfast together.

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