Hoeneß confirms ongoing search for “quality” defender, leaves Undav-Demirovic question open ahead of Supercup

Some 15 days before the current summer transfer window is scheduled to close, VfB Stuttgart trainer Sebastian Hoeneß has confirmed that his roster still requires more help in central defense. The 42-year-old head-coach of the 2023/24 German Bundesliga runners-up are still seeking replacements for departed captain Waldemar Anton and stalwart Hiroki Ito. This is despite the signings of Jeff Chabot, Leonidas Stergiou, Ramon Hendriks, and Anthony Rouault. New signing Yannik Keitel can deputize in central defense, yet struggled in the position for Freiburg last year.

The Swabians also enter the start of competitive play with an oversized roster of 34 players. German clubs generally aim to carry rosters of around 30 professionals for financial reasons. In his comments, Hoeneß spoke on the need for moves on both ends. Players of Anton and Ito’s caliber are needed to fill the void. Defensive midfielder Atakan Karazor – signed to a new long-term deal this summer – has done well in preseason. Moreover, Rouault and Chabot seem to have a solid partnership. Hoeneß nevertheless called for more. 

“The search is still in full swing to bring in an absolute quality player,” Hoeneß remarked at a Thursday presser, “There’s no question that we’re looking for and need quality players in defense. We are not yet complete. We’re not yet finalized.”

Hoeneß did manage to convey a sanguine mood after a training camp in which his various constellations went undefeated through six test fixtures. The VfB gaffer expressed excitement at having the privilege to play for a trophy at the very start of competitive proceedings. With a sly grin on his face, however, he declined to reveal much about his starting XI ahead of Saturday’s Supercup. He certainly had no intention of committing to either Ermedin Demirovic or Deniz Undav as his starting striker.

“Anything is possible in life,” Hoeneß said with a smile when asked if the newly-signed duo might start together, “In any event, they’ll both be in the stadium.”