The VfB Stuttgart 1893 AG supervisory board and club CEO Thomas Hitzlsperger have mutually agreed to terminate the latter’s contract, which was due to run until 31 October 2022, at the end of this month. Hitzlsperger will therefore leave the club by mutual consent on 31 March, with Alexander Wehrle taking over the position of CEO on 21 March.
Thomas Hitzlsperger:
“VfB must focus completely on the objective of staying in the league. A seamless, professional transition of the CEO role is best in that regard. Alexander Wehrle will receive all the support and information he needs from me, but he should then be allowed to take over the reins without outside influence and implement his ideas ahead of the new season. I’m clearing a path for this, in close consultation with the supervisory board.
“Leaving Stuttgart and VfB is not easy for me. The club, the employees, the fans and the city mean a lot to me and I owe them all a great deal. In Stuttgart and at VfB, I celebrated wonderful moments as a player and on the board, but I also experienced a few painful ones. We’ve changed and achieved a lot together, reached important decisions and always bounced back from defeats. I’ve met special people who I’ll stay in touch with outside of work – I’m very grateful for that. Our VfB has become my VfB. I wish everyone involved and everyone to whom VfB means something all the very best. Keep at it and stay up.”
Claus Vogt, supervisory board chairman:
“Thomas Hitzlsperger leaves VfB Stuttgart as a friend and the doors are always open for him at VfB. The club’s management, staff and players wish him all the best for the future. Thank you, Thomas.”