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Stuttgart appoint Schneider

Paddy HiggsAugust 26, 2013

VfB Stuttgart have turned to former player Thomas Schneider as their new head coach. Schneider replaced Bruno Labbadia, who was sacked earlier on Monday after a poor start to the Bundesliga season.

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Thomas Schneider, new head coach of VfB Stuttgart, at the press conference revealing his appointment. (Photo: Niedermueller/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Image: Bongarts/Getty Images

Schneider has signed a two-year deal at Stuttgart's helm, having been handed the job ahead of candidates reportedly including fellow former players Zvonimir Soldo and Krassimir Balakov. He makes the step up from Stuttgart's under-17 side, who he took charge of in 2011.

"I am really looking forward to the job in hand and am full of confidence," Schneider told reporters at the press conference revealing his appointment.

The speed of his appointment perhaps illustrates the desperation of the club to recover from the disastrous start to the campaign that led to Labbadia's sacking. Stuttgart have lost their past four matches in all competitions, with the 2-1 defeat at Augsburg on Sunday the final game in Labbadia's 32-month time in charge. The Swabian club have no points and sit second from bottom in the Bundesliga table after three matches.

They are also in danger of crashing out of the Europa League before the group stage, having lost the first leg of their playoff to Croatian club Rijeka.

“I'm glad we have found a convincing solution so quickly,” technical director Fredi Bobic said. “I'm sure we are well positioned with the coaching staff.” Bobic also said that Schneider's appointment was "not an interim solution," a statement Stuttgart also published on its official Twitter feed.

Schneider said on Monday that he had chosen two co-trainers with equal status, Tomislav Maric and Alfons Higl.

Stuttgart play Rijeka in the return leg of their Europa League qualifier on Thursday, before hosting Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Sunday.