Famous players
Fredi Bobic
Former German international forward. Began his career with Stuttgart, before moving on to Borussia Dortmund, Hanover 96 and then Hertha BSC Berlin. While at Stuttgart, he won the European Championship with the German national side in 1996 and was the leading Bundesliga goal scorer that same year. A year later, in 1997, he was a member of the Stuttgart side that won the German Cup.
Bernd Förster
Former German international defender. Started out at Bayern Munich. Played for Stuttgart from 1978 to 1986, picking up a Bundesliga winner's medal in 1984. Brother of Karl-Heinz - see below.
Karl-Heinz Förster
Former German international defensive midfielder. Played for Stuttgart from 1977 to 1986. Later joined Olympique Marseille. Capped 81 times by Germany, picking up a European Championship winner's medal in 1980 and World Cup runners-up medal in 1982 and 1986. Won the Bundesliga championship with Stuttgart in 1984. Brother of Bernd - see above.
Ottmar Hiztfeld
Played 22 games and scored 5 goals for Stuttgart in the 1977/78 season. Better known as the manager of Borussia Dortmund, with whom he won the Champions League in 1997, and Bayern Munich, where he was boss from 1998 to 2004, winning four league titles, the Champions League (in 2001) and the German Cup (twice).
Dieter Hoeness
Played 34 games for Stuttgart scoring 25 goals between 1977-79. Played from 1979-1987 for Bayern Munich. Returned to Stuttgart as general manager from 1990-1995. Became general manager of Hertha BSC Berlin in 1997.
Jürgen Klinsmann
Son of a Stuttgart baker, played for VfB Stuttgart from 1984-89. Was Germany's Footballer of the Year and top goal scorer while with Stuttgart in 1988. Went on to play for AC Milan, Monaco, Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Sampdoria. As a player he won the World Cup, European Championship, UEFA Cup (twice), German League Cup and the German Championship. He played for Germany 108 times. In July 2004 he became Germany's national team coach.
Kevin Kuranyi
Brazilan born German international striker. Played 99 games, scoring 40 Bundesliga goals, for VfB Stuttgart between 1997 and 2005, before being sold to Schalke 04 for 6.9m euros.
Matthias Sammer
Twice won the East German league as a player with Dynamo Dresden. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, joined Stuttgart in 1990, winning the Bundesliga with the club in 1992. He went on to win it twice more as a player with Borussia Dortmund, where he also won the European Footballer of the Year award in 1996 and the Champions League in 1997. After leading Borussia Dortmund to a further championship as manager in 2002, he returned to Stuttgart in the same role at the start of the 2004/05 season. Despite finishing fifth in the league, failure to get into the Champions League was seen as a disappointing end to the season and he left the club.
