It took a few days for Sven Mislintat to go back into attack mode. The separation after a little more than 1000 days from his buddy and trainer Pellegrino Matarazzo had left its mark on the sports director of the Bundesliga soccer club VfB Stuttgart.
After the redeeming first win of the season in a 4-1 (2-1) win over bottom VfL Bochum, which the Swabians celebrated under the direction of interim coach Michael Wimmer, there was hardly any sign of depression. Standing with his legs apart and self-confident, Mislintat patiently answered the questions - but the criticism of his person grew louder.
Babbel criticizes Mislintat
Mislintat is looking for a trainer "whom he can manipulate and instruct again so that he is still the strong man," said former Stuttgart professional and trainer Markus Babbel in Sport1's "double pass" on Sunday. The fact that Mislintat talked to Chris Führich for a long time before he came on in the game against Bochum was seen by Babbel as an "affront" to interim coach Wimmer.
Mislintat was already close to the team under Matarazzo and that shouldn't change with the interaction with the Italian-American's successor. There are now only two names left on the list of candidates. Probably also that of Jess Thorup, who, according to media reports, has already been in Stuttgart for talks. Thorup would be available as he was sacked at FC Copenhagen about a month ago.
Mislintat does not give insights. It was with great astonishment that he noted the many potential candidates. "I only read one name in the media that we seriously discussed. We didn't get five rejections," said Mislintat. One thing is clear: a "fireman" is not on the list. "We're just looking for someone," revealed the sporting director, "with whom we can work another 1,000 days."
It is not self-evident that he speaks of a "we" decision. Recently, there have been repeated reports of problems in the internal relationship between Mislintat and the CEO, Alexander Wehrle. Both want nothing to do with a power struggle. "If Sven Mislintat and Alexander Wehrle had a massive problem with each other, Alex Wehrle could have said that he couldn't work like that," said the club boss on pay TV broadcaster Sky. "He could then have brought in a new sporting director. But then he wouldn't have gone into the transfer window with Mislintat."
The contract negotiations with the squad planner, whose contract ends in June 2023, are to take place during the World Cup break in November. The new coach should be determined as soon as possible. "Regardless of whether I'm there or not - it's a test of character whether a coach still comes," said Mislintat. The new coach should develop young players in line with the club's philosophy, "must be in the mood and know what he's getting into," said Mislintat. Wehrle promised a quick announcement when looking for a coach.
Wimmer feels comfortable in the second row
It seems more than questionable that Wimmer will also be on the sidelines in the second round of the DFB Cup on Wednesday against second division Arminia Bielefeld (8:45 p.m. / Sky). This is not the plan, Mislintat said.
Wimmer led the training on Sunday, after which he will probably soon move back into the second row. But he also felt comfortable there under Matarazzo and his predecessor Tim Walter. "He will remain part of the team because he has an important function and he can continue to do so as an assistant coach at any time," said Mislintat.
The team felt comfortable under Wimmer's leadership. "Our coach today was Michael and we won 4-1. Maybe he'll stay," said Borna Sosa after the liberation, in which Silas Katompa Mvumpa doubled (3rd/penalty and 64th), Naouirou Ahamada (22nd) and Wataru Endo had met for VfB. Bochum could only hope for a short time after Simon Zoller (29th) made it 1-2. "He's here now and deserves to be the coach because he's a good person," said Sosa.
