VfB Stuttgart

GermanyEst. 1893Manager: Sebastian HoeneßMercedes-Benz Arena

Europa League#11 · 5W-0D-3L · 15 pts

VfB Stuttgart is a German professional football club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, and is one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Founded in 1893 as Stuttgarter Fußballverein 93, the club merged with Kronen-Klub Cannstatt in 1912 to form VfB Stuttgart, with 'VfB' standing for 'Verein für Bewegungsspiele' (Club for Movement Games). The club has won the German championship five times, most recently in 2007, and has claimed the DFB-Pokal three times. Stuttgart's golden era came in the 1980s and 1990s under various managers, establishing themselves as a consistent force in German football. The club has produced and nurtured numerous world-class players throughout its history, including Mario Gómez, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Sami Khedira, and Timo Werner. Stuttgart has also been a launching pad for many international stars, with players like Giovanni Elber, Fredi Bobic, and Cacau making significant contributions to the club's success. The team plays in the Bundesliga, Germany's top division, though they have experienced periods in the 2. Bundesliga, most recently being relegated in 2019 before earning promotion back to the Bundesliga in 2020. The club's home stadium, Mercedes-Benz Arena, has been a fortress for the team and has hosted matches during major international tournaments including the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Stuttgart's youth academy has been particularly successful, consistently producing talented players who either strengthen the first team or generate significant transfer revenues. The club has participated in European competitions regularly, reaching the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1998 and competing in the UEFA Champions League multiple times. Known for their attacking style of play and commitment to developing young talent, Stuttgart has maintained a strong identity despite facing financial challenges and relegation battles in recent years. The club's supporters, known for their passionate support, have remained loyal through both successful periods and difficult times. Stuttgart's rivalry with regional neighbors is particularly intense, especially matches against Bayern Munich and other southern German clubs. The team's colors of red and white have become synonymous with Stuttgart football culture, and the club continues to be an important institution in German football. Recent years have seen Stuttgart focus on rebuilding and establishing themselves as a stable Bundesliga club while maintaining their commitment to youth development and attractive football.