VfB Stuttgart target cup glory against Bayern Munich after sealing UEFA Champions League berth

A top-four finish was the Swabians' main objective for the 2025/26 campaign, and Sebastian Hoeneß, who has now steered his charges into the Champions League in two out of the past three seasons (with a memorable DFB Cup triumph sandwiched in between), is delighted to have hit his target.

"We’ve achieved our big goal and qualified for the Champions League," the 44-year-old told the club's website. "That’s something special. I’d like to congratulate the team and the whole club: we’ve had a very consistent Bundesliga campaign. With the close battle for the Champions League places, the pressure was really on in the run-un. I take my hat off to the lads for how they stood up to it."