Manchester United know all too well that, if you goalkeeper is the Man of the Match and you still end up failing to win, that is usually the sign of a pretty poor performance. Andre Onana saved Man United’s skin for the umpteenth time during that Fenerbahce draw on Thursday night. Without the shot-stopper’s new-found shot-stopping talents, that 3-0 home defeat by Tottenham Hotspur could have descended even further into the realms of humiliation. And while Erik ten Hag appears keen to scrub United’s worst performance of 2024 from memory, it will take some time before a traumatised Red Devils fanbase can sleep easy again.
Ten Hag’s job is under threat once again at Manchester United after a dismal run of one win in seven. And while there is arguably a worrying lack of obvious, stand-out successors – Thomas Frank, Ruben Amorim, Xavi Hernandez and co are gifted tacticians but are they really the solution? – one of the names reportedly on Ineos’ managerial shortlist certainly staked his claim on the biggest of stages this week.
Could this be Sebastian Hoeness’ very own Erik ten Hag vs Real Madrid moment? The scoreline might not have been quite so lopsided – Ajax ran riot during the peak of the Ten Hag era with a famous 4-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu back in 2019 – the manner in which Stuttgart swept Juventus aside in the Champions League should have seen Omar Berrada ink a massive tick next to Hoeness’ name. The fact that Stuttgart are back in Europe’s premiere club competition after a 14 year absence is, in itself, testament to the remarkable work Hoeness has done at the Mercedes Benz Arena. His thrilling, free-flowing VFB side finished between Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga table last season.
And, after the ruthlessness of Real Madrid denied Stuttgart a much-deserved victory away from home at the reigning European champions on matchday one, a supremely-confident and dominant display on the hallowed soil of the Allianz Stadium one month later laid the foundations for a win that actually flattered Juventus far more than their vastly-superior guests. “It was a fantastic game,” Hoeness beamed, masterminding one of the most convincing victories of the entire league phase and one of the best in Stuttgart’s modern history. “[A game] that we deservedly won,” Stuttgart mustered a remarkable 22 shots to Juventus seven. 10 on target to one. Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin single-handedly kept the scoreline down – as Onana did when Tottenham ran riot at Old Trafford – with the XG statistics highlighting just how dominant Hoeness’s affordably-assembled and superstar-less team really were on the night.
Juventus (0.32) 0-1 (2.73) VfB Stuttgart “[My players] believed they could be successful here right from the first minute,” adds Hoeness. “We put so much into this match and were ready for every situation. This win will help us to keep developing. One of the things we can take from this game and performance is that we’ll get our reward if we’re willing to do everything to get it, and if we stick to our plan together.”
Hoeness, a 42-year-old head coach who only took charge of a senior team back in 2020 when getting the Hoffenheim gig, is certainly not the most high-profile or so-called ‘proven’ name on Manchester United’s managerial hotlist. Bild report that Hoeness, who started out coaching Bayern’s reserves like a certain bald-headed Dutchman, was approached by Ineos over the summer. Should Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally drop the axe on Ten Hag, Hoeness is likely to come under consideration by Man United again. And what Hoeness lacks in terms of Premier League experience – a la Thomas Frank – or title-winning nous – see Amorim and Xavi – a man labelled the Bundesliga’s ‘coolest coach‘ arguably makes up for with his ability to create a team far greater than the sum of its parts, while playing a brand of front-foot, confident football befitting of a bonafide European giant.
Enzo Millot had played only two league matches for Monaco before moving to Stuttgart. Now, the fleet-footed playmaker is blossoming into one of Europe’s finest midfielders. Ditto, Angelo Stiller. Jamie Lewelling has been linked with Man United himself, two years after suffering relegation with Greuther Furth. Deniz Undav, the jewell in Hoeness’ crown, now has 25 goals in 45 Stuttgart games after barely getting a look in at Brighton. If Hoeness can turn Millot, Undav and co into some of Europe’s best, then imagine the sort of flavours he could produce with the Michelin star ingredients on offer at Old Trafford. “I was incredibly happy for Stuttgart,” German legend and former Ballon D’Or winner Lothar Matthaus tells Sport, VFB a second-tier team as recently as 2020 and now outplaying Europe’s premiere clubs on the Champions League stage. “They have played two away games against Real and Juventus. They lost the game in Madrid unluckily, but were actually the better team/ “[Stuttgart] can be reckoned with internationally.”
Manchester United's Contact with Sebastian Hoeness
There is nothing more infuriating than spending ages looking, only to find the answer has been staring you in the face all along. We’ve all been there. Usually it’s the most obvious of things as well. The glasses still on your head, keys in the pocket, mobile on the charger...new manager hiding in plain sight. OK, I’ll admit that last one is a little more left-field. But after events this week, it may just be the blindingly blatant solution Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been seeking for months. One which has loomed into sharp and clear focus thanks to the most indirect, yet instructive, of nudges from the FA. The governing body which scoured England and Europe, before deciding the perfect fit was a German and plumped for Thomas Tuchel.
How ironic it would be, then, if Ratcliffe and his Ineos team came to the same conclusion and went down the Teutonic route at Manchester United. And before the wise guys jump in, I’m well aware Erik ten Hag insists he still has the full support of the club’s so-called Management Team. I also know his 12-month contract extension was activated in the summer. But do you seriously believe Ten Hag isn’t a man on the edge? That the odd impressive performance or result - like yesterday’s 2-1 win over Brentford - in the midst of the United mayhem will be enough? The brutal truth is the Dutchman only kept his job because Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford and Co couldn’t find a suitable replacement, one who ticked enough boxes. Now, though, they just might. There is certainly a growing suggestion they are starting to think so, anyway. And, irony of ironies, he’s a German as well.
The Case For Sebastian Hoeness
A man of proven European pedigree, a fluent English speaker, who has worked over here before and is keen to do so again. And who - most appealingly of all for cost-cutting, count-the-pennies Sir Jim - could start at once, without his having to pay a bean in compensation. Edin Terzic is the man in question. One of the most understated top-level gaffers over the last two years. Two seasons ago his Borussia Dortmund side went within one goal of ending Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance, only blowing it with a last-day draw against Mainz. Then last season they were Champions League finalists and pushed Real Madrid to the limit before buckling to two late goals. Newcastle fans will remember Terzic. Dortmund beat them twice in the group of death, before impressively dumping Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid en route to Wembley. If their outstanding football surprised many along the way, it was nothing compared to the manager’s out-of-the-blue decision to resign that followed. The whisper back then was Terzic walked after falling out with senior players. The bigger word now claims it was a point of principle.
Dortmund are a fan-owned club, which is great in theory but also means everyone thinks that gives them a say on everything from transfers to tactics. When opinions clashed - guaranteed with so many would-be chiefs - Terzic handed in his resignation, packed his bags and walked away. He’s been kicking his heels ever since, waiting for the right opening to plunge back in. And United, so the word goes, are well aware... even if he has so far gone under the radar. While all the bookies have a constant market on the next Old Trafford boss, only Paddy Power were alert to Terzic. And even then only as an 80-1 outsider.
The Case For Sebastian Hoeness - Part 2
Odds that subsequently crashed when Tuchel’s England appointment put Germany in vogue as a breeding ground of managerial talent. And we’re not talking a chance-your-arm rookie in Terzic but someone who knows the Premier League from the days as a key part of Slaven Bilic’s staff when he was West Ham boss. A man who - here’s another huge irony - did his Uefa Pro Licence in England on the same FA coaching course as Graham Potter and two United old boys, Nemanja Vidic and Nicky Butt. Someone fluent in the language and the footballing culture... and desperate to come back to the Prem as a boss in his own right. The ideal man, you would imagine, to lead United back towards the days Ratcliffe boasts they can again enjoy. Maybe not title challengers just yet, but finally Edin in the right direction once more. The ball’s in your court, Sir Jim.
Why Did Sebastian Hoeness Decline Manchester United's Approach?
Ah, Manchester United. Never change... Sebastian Hoeness, head coach of VFB Stuttgart and one of the masterminds behind their incredible leap from 16th in the Bundesliga to 2nd within a year, has a list of several top clubs that admire his coaching talents. According to Christian Falk, Manchester United joined that list in the summer:
During the summer break, Manchester United contacted Sebastian Hoeneß (42), manager of VfB Stuttgart. Even before they extended the contract of head coach Erik ten Hag (54), the United bosses wanted to know whether Hoeneß would be available for the job as United’s manager and inquired about possible transfer modalities. Hoeneß, however, declined. Another of those top clubs keeping an eye on Hoeness is, of course, Bayern Munich. But they were rebuffed before the 2023/24 season was even over as Sebastian Hoeness extended his contract back in March of 2024, as a clear sign that Uli Hoeness’ nephew would stay at Die Schwäben for at least another season. Somehow, it took until the summer for Manchester United to realize this. But what happens if the Red Devils come knocking again next year?
The Future Of Sebastian Hoeness at Manchester United?
Looking to get ready for Bayern Munich’s big Bundesliga showdown with VfB Stuttgart? We’ve got you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show, where we hit on the recent form of each team, take a look at the league table, discuss the injury situations for both clubs, take a guess at the lineups, and attempt to predict the final score. You can get the show at Patreon, Spotify, or below: Support Bavarian Podcast Works on Patreon! Be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @bfwinnn, @IredahlMarcus, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more. Related Check your inbox for a welcome email. Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT) or visit FanDuel.com/RG. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was a relieved man at the full-time whistle on Saturday as his side came back from a goal down to defeat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford. Plenty of reports were suggesting that the Dutchman’s tenure could be cut short in case of a less than positive result against the Bees with Thomas Frank rumoured to be in contention to replace Ten Hag. At half-time, the Dane must have been quite pleased as Ethan Pinnock’s header gave the visitors the lead. A fiery pep talk from the former Ajax coach saw the hosts emerge from the tunnel with a newfound zeal and they deserved all three points at the end of the day. The attack purred at times while Matthijs de Ligt’s heroic display despite an injury will have pleased the Dutch manager at a time when numerous names keep getting linked with his post despite him rubbishing all these “fairytale” stories from the media.
German journalist Christian Falk even suggested on his Daily Briefing that VfB Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness was also in the running and he would be open to hearing INEOS’ proposal at the end of the season. Falk even revealed that the Red Devils had spoken to the German in the summer but he had turned them down as he wanted to stay with Stuttgart who qualified for the Champions League this season. Even Bayern Munich were turned down and Hoeness has no intention of quitting mid-season. He is not willing to speak to potential suitors this season. He is however open to hearing out United’s new co-owners should they approach him next summer.
“At the moment, Sebastian Hoeness is happy at Stuttgart. Bayern Munich, of course, knocked slightly on the door and it was the same at Manchester United; they knocked on his door and Hoeness said there was no chance of a move. He wanted to stay with Stuttgart another season and take them into the Champions League. He didn’t want to leave his team behind. Of course, they don’t quite know how this season will pan out this time. If Ten Hag is sacked during the campaign, I don’t think there’s a chance for Hoeness, but that could change next summer. I’m not sure if he’ll do it, but I think he’d at least sit at a table with United and hear out their offer.” Under Hoeness, Stuttgart finished second in the league last season, their best showing in 17 years, and as a result qualified for Europe’s premier club competition. This season has not been as smooth with Die Roten currently ninth in the Bundesliga, having lost 0-4 at the hands of the Bavarian giants on Saturday. As for Ten Hag, he needs to ensure the team keep picking up wins or else INEOS might be forced to pull the plug if the possibility of a top four finish fade away.
Feature image Christian Kaspar-Bartke via Getty Images Play for free to win the new United kit! We’re awarding a new prize every PL matchweek, courtesy of Goat Kits! To play, just (1) Join this week’s brand new PL Challenge league here with our league code puu1tk and enter your team. (2) Follow The Peoples Person on X and answer the tie breaker question. Full instructions and rules here. You can also visit Goat Kits at goatkitstore.com and use discount code TPP30 to get 30% off your first purchase! Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25 2021. All Right Reserved by The Peoples Person.
