VfB Stuttgart on FM26 - The Return of the Swabians
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIED 2025-26 (4th, 62 pts). 2-2 draw against Frankfurt on the final matchday — CL confirmed. Sebastian Hoeneß (Uli's nephew!) transforms the club from relegation zone to European contender. MHPArena (60,058 seats) — the ONLY European stadium to have hosted the CL final, Euro AND World Cup. VfB IS BACK.
Why choose VfB Stuttgart?
Because VfB Stuttgart is THE MOST SPECTACULAR RENAISSANCE IN GERMAN FOOTBALL. Sebastian Hoeneß — yes, Uli Hoeneß's nephew, Bayern Munich's legendary president — arrives in April 2023 and transforms in two years a club threatened with relegation into CONSECUTIVE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIED (4th in Bundesliga, 62 pts in 2025-26). The MHPArena (60,058 Bundesliga seats) is THE ONLY STADIUM IN EUROPE to have hosted Champions League, Euro AND World Cup finals. Jürgen Klinsmann scored here. Fredi Bobic, Sami Khedira — Swabians who became world champions. The last Bundesliga title dates back to 2007 (5th) — an eternity for a club of this size. Bilal El Khannouss (Leicester), Grischa Prömel among the recruits. In FM26, you take a club with FULL MOMENTUM — with the mission to confirm and go even further.
Hoeneß and the Swabian identity
Sebastian Hoeneß plays a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1 with high pressing and quick transitions — an acknowledged Guardiolan influence (Hoeneß junior went through the Bayern academy). The Swabian work ethic (do things well, no showing off) translates on the pitch. In FM26, build on this philosophy of collective hard work.
Tactics: Swabian pressing
Stuttgart presses high, plays short from the back, and looks for space in transition. Guirassy (if still at the club) or his successor up front, Undav on the wing. In FM26, 4-2-3-1 with pressing activated, high lines, and exploitation of width by pacey wingers. The MHPArena can be a FORTRESS when the team is at its level.
Objectives: permanent top 4 and CL
Maintain top 4 in Bundesliga. Perform in the Champions League (already a monumental challenge for Stuttgart). Long term: a 6th Bundesliga title — after 2007, a new era of Swabian domination would be HISTORIC.
Stuttgart is THE RENAISSANCE. Hoeneß, consecutive CL qualifications, the legendary MHPArena. In FM26, confirming and dominating — that's the MISSION. Frisch auf VfB!