Claus Vogt, President of VfB Stuttgart. After Porsche joined Mercedes-Benz as an investor, he is under pressure as head of the professional department’s supervisory board. picture alliance/dpa | David Inderlied/Getty Images / PhotographyLink
Claus Vogt is considered the “fan president” in the Bundesliga. When the tennis balls were flying in the stadiums, the club boss of VfB Stuttgart suddenly spoke out in favor of what the ultras were also demanding in the corners. Vogt wanted to have the German Football League (DFL) investor deal voted on again. With this, the professional football establishment began to move away from the billion-dollar business. Finally, the DFL stopped its search for investors after weeks of fan protests.
Now Vogt seems to be waging his own battle against an investor. According to research by Business Insider, Porsche is pushing for a change in leadership on the supervisory board of VfB Stuttgart. Just a few weeks ago, the sports car manufacturer became a new investor in the third-place team in the Bundesliga – with a total investment of around 100 million euros. Vogt has so far been at the head of the control committee that oversees the stock corporation into which the football club has transferred its professional department. He is threatened with an enormous loss of power.
As early as this Thursday, there could be discussions behind the scenes about the position of “fan president” on the supervisory board. And about what was agreed with Porsche.