Bundesliga
Stuttgart appoint Walter as head coach
VfB Stuttgart have named Holstein Kiel's Tim Walter as their new head coach for next season.
The 43-year-old, who guided Kiel to a sixth-placed Bundesliga 2 finish in 2018/19 and previously coached the Bayern Munich and Karlsruher youth teams, has signed a two-year deal through to summer 2021.
"It became pretty apparent in our talks that Tim Walter's approach and idea of attacking football fit really well with VfB," explained Stuttgart head of sport Thomas Hitzlsperger. "Together we want the focus to be on bringing through our own talent, and Tim has a wealth of experience and, above all, conviction, in that regard. We've acquired a very good coach and are looking forward to working together with him."
Walter is Stuttgart's third permanent coach in a year after Tayfun Korkut (29 January 2018 - 7 October 2018) and Markus Weinzierl (9 October 2018 - 20 April 2019). Nico Willig took the reins on an interim basis for the final month of the 2018/19 Bundesliga campaign, overseeing three wins, one draw and one defeat as Stuttgart narrowly avoided automatic relegation to the second tier, but fell short of outright safety.
Willig will remain in the dugout as Die Schwaben face Bundesliga 2 side Union Berlin over two legs in the promotion/relegation play-off on 23 and 27 May to determine who will play in the Bundesliga next season. Walter will then take over later this summer.
"I'm very much looking forward to the task," Walter said. "VfB have real character and an impressive history. The talks with Thomas Hitzlsperger and [sporting director] Sven Mislintat were honest and direct, and there was a real sense of trust. We want to take the club in a new, positive direction.
"I would like to thank Holstein Kiel for a great season together and for understanding my decision to switch to VfB Stuttgart."