In the person of Sven Mislintat, VfB Stuttgart has decided to retain interim coach Michael Wimmer for the time being. The previous assistant coach now has to consolidate his own position – and break away from the sports director.
So far, it has given the public the impression that Michael Wimmer is his coach. After the release of Pellegrino Matarazzo, Sven Mislintat first publicized him and put him in the spotlight, then praised him again and again and finally he gave “the Michi” the chance to stay on the VfB sidelines for a longer period of time.
The sports director maintains a conscious closeness – which does not always have to be positive for Wimmer.
Like the important home win a week and a half ago: Actually, the former assistant and now interim coach Chris Führich wanted to explain something, who was about to be substituted on. Instead, Mislintat grabbed the 24-year-old and talked to him. A bizarre scene, the message of which was probably not intended, but which showed that Wimmer does not really have it easy under the sports director.
So it becomes clear early on: The 42-year-old has to break away from Mislintat and develop his own new standing with the team.
According to the picture, he was previously someone who also stood for the necessary looseness in the coaching team and was always up for fun. But now he has to develop a certain authority. Therefore, he should now tighten the reins internally, the report continues.
His speeches are now clearer, clearer and – if necessary – in a sharper tone. Like at halftime in the 0:5 defeat against BVB. There he gave an “emotional cabin speech” in which he let his anger run free.
At least until the World Cup break, Wimmer Stuttgart will lead in the sporting field and will be primarily responsible for the results. After that, depending on the size of the letter of recommendation he has written, he could even continue to be the head coach. But before this step he has to become more of a leader – also towards Mislintat.
This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as temporary Stuttgart boss: How Wimmer fights for the job.
