VfB Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeneß has expressed his surprise at the omission of Maximilian Mittelstädt and Chris Führich from Germany’s squad for the upcoming international fixtures, while also reaffirming his confidence in goalkeeper Alex Nübel. Hoeneß addressed the situation during a press conference ahead of Stuttgart’s DFB-Pokal final against Bayern Munich, acknowledging the decisions made by national team coach Julian Nagelsmann but subtly questioning the rationale behind leaving the two in-form players out of the selection.
Both Mittelstädt and Führich have been key components of Stuttgart’s impressive Bundesliga campaign, which sees them challenging for a Champions League spot. Mittelstädt, a left-back, has provided both defensive solidity and attacking impetus, contributing with assists and consistent performances. Führich, a winger, has been a dynamic threat, utilising his pace and dribbling ability to create scoring opportunities. Their absence from the Germany squad has been a point of discussion amongst fans and pundits alike.
Hoeneß was careful to avoid direct criticism of Nagelsmann, stating that the national coach’s decision “must be accepted.” However, he emphasized his own assessment of the players’ form, noting that he observes them daily in training and during matches. He also highlighted their positive response to the setback, claiming the omission had served as motivation ahead of the cup final.
Turning to the situation surrounding Alex Nübel, Hoeneß dismissed concerns that the Bayern Munich loanee’s future uncertainty would impact his performance. Nübel has been on loan at Stuttgart for the season and has established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, playing a crucial role in their success. His long-term future remains unclear, with a return to Bayern potentially awaiting him, but Hoeneß believes the player is fully focused on the task at hand. According to Hoeneß, Nübel has demonstrated a “very good season” and will be a “central mainstay” in the cup final.
Nübel originally joined Bayern Munich in 2020 from Schalke 04, but has struggled to establish himself as the undisputed number one, spending time on loan at Monaco before his move to Stuttgart. The goalkeeper’s performances this season have reignited debate about his potential to challenge Manuel Neuer for the Bayern jersey. Stuttgart’s strong cup run and potential Champions League qualification could further enhance Nübel’s reputation and influence his future prospects.
