The Stuttgart sporting director has confirmed that the club fans are least interested in the UEFA Europa League, following poor attendance last season.
Stuttgart sporting director, Fredi Bobic, has confirmed that The Swabians have less appetite for the second-tier European competition. He mentioned that the club bosses must try bringing in quality players at the club in order
to leave themselves with a chance to challenge Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund in the future.
Bobic admitted that the Europa League is a renowned competition in the continent but amazingly the Stuttgart fans have less affection for it. He stated that the fans want the club to play in Europe’s elite competition which is
virtually impossible for the next season.
The chief mused that it is hard to understand why the fans dislike to the Europa League despite its importance across the globe. He prompted the fans to support their club at whichever stage they play as The Swabians close in on
the fifth place finish this season.
While talking to a local sports publication, Bild, Bobic further added: "The Europa League is widely renowned. But the question is how it is seen here. Most recently, the tournament was not accepted in Stuttgart and the stadiums
were not full. It's kind of hard to grasp."
Stuttgart qualified for the Europa League last season but were eliminated by Benfica in the Round-of-32. The Mercedes-Benz-Arena outfit has never won this competition which could be one reason that the fans do not come out in numbers
when their team plays in Europe.
The Reds once again have a chance to qualify for the second-tier tournament next season by finishing in the top seven. They currently have 39 points and sit one point behind Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen, who are fifth and
sixth respectively.
The Champions League qualification might be out of sight now for Die Roten as there are only seven games to go until the season ends.
Stuttgart will next be in action against reigning German champions Borussia Dortmund on Friday, March 30, at the Signal Iduna Park. An unlikely win could take The Swabians up to the fifth spot in the league standings.
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