The 3-1 triumph against Leipzig propelled Stuttgart into their first cup final since losing the 2012/13 edition to Bayern Munich‘s treble-winners. If they can finish the job against 3. Liga’s Arminia Bielefeld in Berlin on 24 May, Die Schwaben will get their hands on a first major title for 18 years, when a team coached by Armin Veh won the 2006/07 Bundesliga.
It marks the latest milestone for a side transformed under the tutelage of 42-year-old Hoeneß. The club were bottom of the Bundesliga when he took charge two years ago, following spells with the Bayern Munich reserves – with whom he won the 2019/20 3. Liga title – and Hoffenheim. Top-flight survival ultimately came by way of an emphatic play-off win over Bundesliga 2’s Hamburg, and it’s been onwards and upwards ever since.
