Cacau is getting some high-profile new recruits for his brand ambassador team in the form of three Cannstatt legends – World Cup-winner and VfB honorary captain Guido Buchwald, Euro-winner Hansi Müller and 2007 league-winning goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand. The trio will be taking on appearances and sponsor engagements straight away for VfB, as well as speaking on behalf of the club on important societal topics such as sustainability and integration.
“As figureheads of our club, Guido, Hansi and Timo represent significant periods of success for VfB Stuttgart and embody our proud tradition,” said Rouven Kasper, VfB board member and Chief Marketing & Sales Officer. “As brand ambassadors, they will help to forge even closer ties with our community of former players. They will help to make the authentic tradition of our club something that can be lived and experienced, for members, fans and partners. We are delighted that these three very special people are taking on this role, and bringing their own strengths, experiences and content focus to Cacau’s team.”
Over the coming weeks and months, VfB is planning a whole host of activities with its star former players and its Legends XI. Once the main stand at the MHPArena is finished, it will feature a Legends area, where the brand ambassadors, sponsors and VIP guests will have a regular presence.
During his time with VfB Stuttgart, Guido Buchwald was one of the best defenders in the world. He won the World Cup with Germany in 1990 and led VfB to their fourth league title in 1992 with his crucial goal in the 2-1 win away to Leverkusen. He was chosen by fans as part of the team of the century and was named as VfB’s honorary captain.
Hansi Müller was a highly gifted midfielder who came up through the youth ranks at VfB before going on to make 186 first-team appearances for the club between 1975 and 1982. The 42-time international won the Euro in 1980 with Germany.
Timo Hildebrand played for VfB Stuttgart from 1998 to 2007, winning the German league title and winning seven international caps. Across the 2002/03 and 2003/04 Bundesliga seasons, he went 884 minutes without conceding a goal – a record that stands to this day.