VfB Stuttgart 2025/26 season preview: Transfers, pre-season, predicted lineup & predictions | OneFootball

After an underwhelming second half of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season, VfB Stuttgart ended their 18-year trophy drought in Berlin as they lifted the DFB-Pokal following a 4-2 win against Arminia Bielefeld.

Securing themselves a place in the Europa League, Sebastian Hoeneß's side were able to get themselves back into European football for the second year running, after their Champions League campaign ended abruptly, and a poor run of form after the season's mid-point saw the club slip away from the race for the Bundesliga's European places.

After an impressive pre-season in regards to both results and transfers, VfB are aiming to continue on the upward trajectory kick-started by Hoeneß two years ago, and cement themselves back among the regulars at the top end of the division.

Their league campaign will begin on Saturday, August 23, against Union Berlin, with both sides hoping to avoid a repeat of the sensational 4-4 draw in Köpenick back in April.

Before that, supporters are preparing for the recently renamed Franz Beckenbauer Supercup against champions Bayern Munich on Saturday, August 16, on home soil at MHPArena.

Pre-season performances

Stuttgart returned to training on July 9 in high spirits following their sensational cup win in May.

After spending just under two weeks on home soil at Mercedesstraße, with 7-1 and 2-1 wins against SV Fellbach and Celta Vigo in this time, Hoeneß and the squad departed for a short period in the beautiful Bavarian region of Rottach-Egern.

Departing for the trip with a full squad, Angelo Stiller was unfortunately withdrawn after suffering a partial tear of the lateral ligament in his left ankle.

Nonetheless, the squad took part in a friendly match against French outfit Toulouse and won comfortably, with the match finishing 6-0 in Stuttgart's favour.

Goals from Deniz Undav, Chris Führich, Jeff Chabot, Lazar Jovanovic, and two from Ermedin Demirovic secured a morale-boosting win for Stuttgart heading into their final preparation match this weekend against Coppa Italia holders, Bologna.

Führich in particular shone. Wearing his new number 10 shirt, the German winger will be hoping for a much better campaign this time around after a disappointing two goals and three assists, following eight and seven the year prior.

Transfers

Thus far, Stuttgart are one of the sides that can potentially be labelled as “winners” of the transfer market.

While all of the talk around a potential Nick Woltemade-Bayern move has surrounded not just the club, but the German football landscape as a whole, VfB have quietly gone about their business.

Right-back Lorenz Assignon was secured early on in the window, and is expected to play a key role on the right-hand side as a result of a poor term for Josha Vagnoman last time around.

Highly rated youngsters Lazar Jovanovic, Chema Andres and Noah Darvich have arrived from Red Star, Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively.

While Stuttgart are still heavily courting Nürnberg midfielder Caspar Jander, with a full verbal agreement being reached between the player and club in early July.

A move has since failed for exciting Greek forward Giannis Konstantelias, with the attacker extending his contract with PAOK until 2029.

Midfielder Enzo Millot was heavily touted for a move away from the club at the end of last season, and is set to join up with Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, after the club hijacked a move to Atletico Madrid.

Despite the stalling move for Jander and failed Konstantelias move, Stuttgart have had a rather productive transfer window, adding quality and exciting youth to a squad that has proven it can fight among those at the top end of the Bundesliga.

The Jander saga will be one to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Predicted starting line-up

Sebastian Hoeneß's starting XI will likely carry forward from last season following a strong end to the campaign, assuming that everyone is fully fit.

4-4-2: Nübel - Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstädt - Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Führich - Undav, Woltemade.

With the new youngsters there to fill in the attacking roles when called upon, it is a big season for Führich and Jamie Leweling, who will both face fierce competition.

The length of Angelo Stiller's absence is still unclear; however, Yannick Keitel would be expected to fill in for the Supercup against Bayern, should the talismanic midfielder remain on the sidelines.

Depth was a huge issue for Hoeneß last term, with injuries crippling Stuttgart at points during the season. However, these are mostly addressed now, with left-back depth behind Maximilian Mittelstädt being the only crucial area that could need addressing, with Ramon Hendriks being a natural centre-back, and Frans Krätzig moving to Heidenheim in January after failing to impress at MHPArena.

Predictions for the upcoming season

After winning the DFB-Pokal in May, the spirits around the club are high, to say the least.

Ending an 18-year trophy drought, Stuttgart were able to place themselves in the Europa League. And this will be a much bigger indicator of the squad's current ability in comparison to last season's Champions League campaign, which ended abruptly against Paris Saint-Germain.

Winning the trophy itself was a huge statement of intent for the club, with the ambition being clear that they aren't a side ready to rest on their laurels and simply exist among the mid-table region.

While Stuttgart aren't anywhere near challenging for the Meisterschale, a fight to regain a top-four place, alongside good Europa League and DFB-Pokal runs, will be expected.

Stuttgart enter the campaign as one of the sides expected to be in and around the European race come May, and a second successive Bundesliga campaign dropping out of it could be deemed as a failure.

However, with smart recruitment, a fantastic squad, and one of Germany's most well-regarded coaches, Stuttgart should see themselves more than on track.