Hertha ii

UEFA Champions League: Sebastian Hoeness held nothing back. Despite his media obligations as head coach, the 42-year-old put aside protocol during a live TV broadcast, removed his microphone, and ran to join his team. After securing Stuttgart's first German Cup final appearance in 13 years, his players had gathered on the goal line in front of their fans. "I wanted to be in that picture too," he admitted, before apologizing on air: "Sorry, but I have to go."

A scion of a famous football family, Hoeness has spent the past two years in Stuttgart on what feels like a whirlwind journey. His arrival on April 3, 2023, was met with little fanfare, but now he stands at the center of the club's resurgence, reports Xinhua. The son of former Bayern Munich striker Dieter Hoeness and nephew of Bayern Munich's former president and current board member Uli Hoeness, he was brought in to rescue a struggling Stuttgart side.

Under his leadership, the team survived a relegation battle against Hamburg in 2023, then followed it with a record-setting 73-point Bundesliga season and its first UEFA Champions League qualification in 14 years.