VfB Stuttgart vs Hertha BSC Berlin preview - Zorniger linked with Stuttgart post

Posted Thursday, March 05, 2015 by PA

The shadow of Alexander Zorniger is rising over Stuttgart as they prepare to face Hertha Berlin in what may prove to be Huub Stevens' last game in charge on Friday night.

The Swabians are looking up at the rest of the Bundesliga with just 19 points from 23 games - their lowest ever haul for such an advanced stage of the season.

That is five fewer than opponents Hertha, who occupy the first position above the relegation zone, and the pressure is mounting on Stevens, whose second spell at the club - having led them to safety last season - looks to be nearing its conclusion.

Salzburg and Leipzig director of sport Ralf Rangnick suggested at the weekend that former Leipzig coach Zorniger was being lined up by Stuttgart to replace Stevens.

That was rejected by Stuttgart's director of sport Robin Dutt on Wednesday, who told Rangnick to mind his own business.

Former Stuttgart coach Rangnick continues to fuel speculation, though.

"If Dutt gets so worked up, then that just shows how much the nerves are on show," Rangnick told Sport1 after Leipzig were beaten 2-0 by Wolfsburg in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday night.

"And considering that it was only last Saturday that Stevens was sayinghe is going to get to the end of these four months, then I don't know why anybody at Stuttgart should get worked up if I say that maybe Zorniger will take over from the summer."

According to the Bild newspaper, Zorniger's appointment has already been decided, although the timing of his arrival depends on results, starting with Friday.

Defeat for Stuttgart, who could see the gap to safety rise to eight points with 10 games to go, could hasten Zorniger's arrival.

All that is of no concern to Hertha coach Pal Dardai, who is fighting for his own future in the capital having been installed initially until the end of the season.

"It doesn't matter if I'm coaching the under-12s or playing with the veterans, I always want to win and that also means in Stuttgart," Dardai said at a press conference.

Peter Pekarik should be able to play for the Old Lady after having a carbon fibre mask fitted to protect his broken nose.