The Rise of Stuttgart's New Generation
Take a look at the Bundesliga this season, and you'll notice VfB Stuttgart doing something almost nobody’s tried this century: building success almost entirely on youth. With their average age at 24.5, only Eintracht Frankfurt is younger in the German top flight. And if Stuttgart keeps this trend going, they might finish the season without putting a single player over 30 on the pitch—a feat no Bundesliga team has pulled off since 2000.
This isn’t just a stat for the trivia books. It’s a deliberate move by the club, echoing Stuttgart’s “Jungen Wilden” (Young Wild Ones) legacy that took the league by storm back in 2006-07 under Armin Veh. Back then, a fearless and talented group carried the club to an unlikely championship. Fast-forward to 2024-25, and the new wave of “Jungen Wilden 2.0” are trying to write their own chapter, even as they battle fresh challenges every week.
Sparking Ambition in a Season of Surprises
Last season set the bar sky-high after Stuttgart clinched an unexpected second place. But the current campaign hasn’t followed the same fairytale script. Injuries have bitten hard, and the results have swung from gritty wins to frustrating losses. Right now, Stuttgart sits tenth in the table—not exactly where fans might expect after last season’s heroics. Even so, the club still has a shot at making Europe, with the Conference League or the Europa League within reach if they finish strong.
What really stands out is how head coach Sebastian Hoeneß has stuck to his guns, trusting the squad’s youth instead of adding veteran stopgaps. Striker Nick Woltemade, barely out of his teens, is already making waves—earning call-ups not only to Germany’s U21 Euros squad but also to the senior national team for the UEFA Nations League. That’s a testament to his explosive growth and the doors Stuttgart opens for its rising stars.
Enzo Millot is another name on everyone’s lips. The midfielder’s energy and vision have become central to the way Stuttgart plays. It’s players like these that fuel hopes of the club not just surviving, but thriving in a league that usually favors experience. This season could redefine what’s possible for Bundesliga clubs that dare to put faith in youth.
- Stuttgart has consistently fielded the second-youngest side in the league.
- No player aged 30 or older has played this season, an unprecedented trend in modern Bundesliga.
- Nick Woltemade’s rise is mirrored by call-ups to both U21 and senior Germany squads.
- European competition remains a realistic target despite patchy form and mounting injuries.
Still fresh in the mind is how recently Stuttgart was fighting for survival, dodging relegation by the smallest margins. Now, under Hoeneß, the mood has flipped to talk of reaching Europe and setting new standards for player development. The “Jungen Wilden” spirit lives on, and this group might just push boundaries nobody expected, all with the youngest legs in the league.
