Manager ‘caught off guard’ as star player joins Newcastle – ‘Alarmed’ by late transfer

The final days of the summer transfer window are always full of surprises, and one of the most unexpected developments has come from Germany, where VfB Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeneß found himself facing a situation he never saw coming.

His star striker, Nick Woltemade, is now on the verge of completing a move to Newcastle United—a transfer that has reportedly left the Stuttgart boss both surprised and concerned about the challenges ahead.

For much of the summer, it seemed certain that Woltemade would remain with Stuttgart. The club’s official, Alexander Wehrle, had even publicly stated that the player would stay, especially after a potential move to Bayern Munich failed to materialize earlier in the window.

Hoeneß, who had been planning his tactics for the upcoming match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, fully expected the 23-year-old German international to be available for selection.

That’s why the news that Stuttgart had accepted an offer from Newcastle came as a complete shock.

According to reports, Hoeneß was completely unaware of the negotiations until the very last moment.

It was only on Thursday that he was informed by Wehrle and sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth that the club had agreed to a deal with Newcastle a package worth €85 million upfront, with an additional €5 million in potential bonuses.

The manager was not upset with how the communication was handled, but he was visibly alarmed by what this sudden departure means for the team’s competitiveness moving forward.

When speaking to the media on Friday, Hoeneß appeared frustrated and thoughtful. He did not go into specific details but acknowledged the clear “tension” between the sporting ambitions of the team and the financial objectives of the club’s leadership.

His main concern is that Stuttgart had already struggled to fully execute their transfer plans this summer, and losing a player of Woltemade’s quality so close to the deadline makes an already difficult task even harder.

With just three days left in the window, the club must now scramble to find a suitable replacement—a challenge that no manager wants to face.

For Newcastle, this deal represents a major triumph. Not only have they secured a highly-rated striker who was also wanted by Bayern Munich, but they have done so by moving quickly and decisively at just the right time.

Woltemade’s arrival will provide a significant boost to Eddie Howe’s attacking options, especially with the future of Alexander Isak still uncertain.

The player himself is already in England to finalize the move, and his signing will be seen as a real statement of intent from the Magpies.

This kind of late drama is what makes the transfer window so compelling. For one club, it’s a exciting new beginning; for another, it’s a stressful race against time.

As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how Stuttgart responds to this unexpected turn of events—and whether they can find a way to turn a moment of alarm into an opportunity.