Bundesliga strugglers Stuttgart sack Labbadia and hire Hoeness

Stuttgart have lost their last three league games without scoring. They are five points behind Hoffenheim, the club Hoeness managed for two seasons, in the last safe spot. Stuttgart said Hoeness had signed a contract until 2025, regardless of their league status. "It's about the immediate impact, but also about what we want to push for at VfB beyond the season," said the club's sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth.

"Sebastian knows both how to deal with top talent in the youth sector and professional football." Hoeness is the son of one German international, Dieter, and the nephew of another, Uli, the former Bayern Munich club president. "I'm really looking forward to the challenge," said Hoeness. "I have a great emotional connection to VfB. I followed the club as a fan in my youth, played here myself for several years in the youth and won the German championship title with the U17."