VfB Stuttgart are expanding the club’s internal structure in the area of sports. 2014 FIFA World Cup winners and former VfB players Sami Khedira and Philipp Lahm will join with immediate effect as advisors, offering their experience and expertise to CEO Alexander Wehrle. Furthermore, former VfB captain Christian Gentner will return to the club from January 1, 2023 upon his retirement as a player, becoming head of the professional player department as part of the team under Sven Mislintat and Markus Rüdt.
VfB Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle said, “After completing our analysis of last season I informed everyone at management level that we would be expanding our area of sport in order to bring in different perspectives, particularly those of former VfB players. We have found the right people for that in World Cup winning captain Philipp Lahm, World Cup winner Sami Khedira and our former captain Christian Gentner. I’m very pleased that they’re committing themselves to VfB.”
Christian Gentner said, “It’s something very special for me to start a new career at VfB Stuttgart after ending my playing career. I would like to add real-life experience to what I learned during the management course at VfB, as well as bring in new ideas, learn new things and successfully make the most of my experience as a player for the team. I’m really looking forward to working with everyone at VfB and returning to my hometown club.”
Sami Khedira said, “I’m very much looking forward to advising Alexander Wehrle and VfB on sporting issues. I experienced many things during my 15 years as a player, had insights into very well-run clubs and worked with a wide variety of coaches. I would like to share that knowledge and experience with VfB, a club that is close to my heart.”
Philipp Lahm said, “VfB should be a club where fans can recognise themselves, a club that is rooted in Swabia, that gives its members a home, trains talented local youngsters and wins much more often than it loses. VfB once gave me the chance to gain a foothold at the highest level and now I’d like to share that experience with VfB.”