“The most important element is the footballing development. We managed to finish in an excellent ninth spot, which also helped us through what is financially a very tough and unstable period,” Hitzlsperger said, going on to praise the very clear plan of action of the sports management staff and the work of the coaching and backroom teams.
Hitzlsperger was also keen to thank the fans, sponsors, partners and banks for their trust and support. He had particular praise for the players and employees for the commitment they had shown throughout a difficult year and for their willingness to forego a portion of their salaries. Due to the success achieved out on the pitch, at least part of this will be able to be compensated for.
Speaking about reports mentioning potential investors, Hitzlsperger said: “There is a great deal of interest in VfB and as such we are in a number of discussions. It is a nice situation to be in, but at the end of the day, it has to be something that benefits VfB.”
One negative aspect of the season review was the data affair, Hitzlsperger highlighted. “It occupied a lot of our time and it was talked about in the media a great deal, as you would expect. It was settled back in March but it was to be expected that in such an extraordinary season, not everything would run smoothly.”