President Wolfgang Dietrich of VfB Stuttgart does not think he is the target of criticism from the fan camp. Rather, he sees a general dissatisfaction of the fans with the post of club president. Accordingly, he does not think of resigning even after the descent.
“Criticism has less to do with me personally than with my office,” Dietrich presumed in conversation with the picture. In the course of the relegation struggle, voices had repeatedly been raised calling for a separation from Dietrich: “Traditionally, the president is the first to be attacked in the event of sporting failure. He’s responsible for everything in the eyes of many.”
Dietrich received support in the VIP box from persons who had already experienced similar things with other presidents in the past. Dietrich therefore does not want to “run away” even after the second descent in three years: “We have the term fearless and faithful. I act responsibly, I’m elected for four years.”
For him it is “a matter of course” to face the new problems. Nevertheless, he firmly expects that there will be a motion at the general meeting on 14 July: “But everyone should also keep in mind that economic ability to act and personnel stability are the most important things for an association, especially in a crisis situation”.
Not least in the fight for players and sponsors, a continuation of the current leadership would be important. “The VfB is a good address, even if it sounds strange a week after the descent,” Dietrich explained. Furthermore, there is a “clear plan” for further development and the necessary “substance” for it.
Meanwhile, the president admitted he had made a mistake. “The fact that I didn’t put enough pressure on Michael Reschke to hire a second sports manager at the right time,” he called one of his offences. Even the separation from Reschke did not have the right effect.
Actually, they wanted to strengthen coach Markus Weinzierl with it. A little later, however, he was also dismissed, with interim coach Nico Willig the class was not maintained even through the relegation. The rebuilding should now succeed with the trio of coach Tim Walter, sports director Sven Mislintat and sports director Thomas Hitzlsperger.
