Christian Gentner named sporting director

VfB Stuttgart has promoted 39-year-old Gentner, who has been head of first-team football at the club since 1 January 2023, to sporting director. Following Fabian Wohlgemuth’s switch to board member for sport on 1 July, the club has now reached another important personnel decision with the appointment of Gentner, who as sporting director will be responsible for the first team and report directly to the board.

While still a player, Gentner successfully completed the “Management in Professional Football” course run by the German Football League (DFL) and the German Football Association (DFB), focusing on sports law, licensing, squad planning, financial management and leadership.

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After rising through the youth ranks and making his first-team debut at the club, Gentner helped VfB become Bundesliga champions in 2007. The Nürtingen-born midfielder was made club captain following his return from VfL Wolfsburg – with whom he also won the German title – and went on to make 430 Bundesliga appearances for VfB, Wolfsburg and Union Berlin. He also won five caps for Germany at international level.

Board member for sport Fabian Wohlgemuth: “The decision to appoint Christian as sporting director was made some time ago by the management board. I’m delighted we’ve now been able to put our plan into practice. Christian knows about football from different perspectives, has a large network and has clear goals. An out-and-out team player, Christian has played his part in the club’s positive sporting development in recent months. We want to continue on this path in a consistent manner. With Alexander Wehrle at the helm, we’re all pursuing the goal of leading VfB into a sustainably successful future.”

Christian Gentner: “I’d like to thank Alex Wehrle, Fabian Wohlgemuth and the board for the trust they’ve placed in me by appointing me as sporting director. Over the past two years, I’ve been able to accompany VfB on its journey as head of first-team football and have found the collaboration with the club’s management, coaching staff, backroom staff and the squad to be based on trust and focused on success. Everyone knows VfB isn’t just any club for me. This makes me all the more motivated to be successful with VfB.”