Official: Hitzlsperger to make way for Alexander Wehrle early
VfB Stuttgart officially confirmed on Thursday that Thomas Hitzlsperger will officially step down as club chairmen at the end of the month.
| Thomas Hitzlsperger. | Photo: Dictum Media, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Stuttgart secured the services of Köln executive Alexander Wehrle to take over most of Hitzlsperger's duties this past December. Wehrle, who was scheduled to report to work this April, now should get full control by March 21st. Köln confirmed reports from German footballing magazine Kicker reports that Hitzlsperger's contract would be terminated on March 31st.
"VfB must focus fully on the goal of staying in the league," Hitzlsperger noted in a statement, "A smooth, professional transition in the position of CEO is now the best thing for this."
For his part, the man who Hitzlsperger once tried to oust as club president found some cordial words as well.
"Thomas Hitzlsperger leaves VfB Stuttgart as a friend," Vogt noted, "The doors remain open to him."
Thus far, not much is known about the 39-year-old's future plans. The former VfB and German national team star has been linked with some vacant administrative positions elsewhere in the league.
ℹ Einvernehmliche Vertragsauflösung zum 31. März: @ThomasHitz übergibt an Alexander #Wehrle. Bereits am 21. März übernimmt Alexander Wehrle die Position des Vorstandsvorsitzenden. Vielen Dank und alles Gute für die Zukunft, Thomas. 🙏
— VfB Stuttgart (@VfB) March 17, 2022
🧾👇 https://t.co/ff9JJHXq4j #VfB