After a breakout 2023/24 season in which he went from strength to strength and proved himself on some big stages, Bayern Munich’s Frans Krätzig has rather gone under the radar during his loan spell at VFB Stuttgart, with the outside world only aware of his scant appearances off the bench for Die Schwäben in his several months there.
However, for a short period of time, Krätzig was reunited with Munich and the Säbener Straße as he and Germany’s U-21s trained there during the international break. And Bayern used that time to hold a quick interview, posted on their official website, with the former FC Nürnberg youth player, in which he confirmed a much more positive view on his life with Stuttgart than one might assume.
Asked about how he has settled at Stuttgart, Krätzig had this to say: “It’s very familial here, I’ve got to know some cool people. We also have a coach who has a clear philosophy and a good team that knows how to implement it. Of course, that also makes it difficult to prove yourself there. But I wanted to take on this challenge.”
Is part of that challenge working with VFB Stuttgart head coach or is it an advantage that Sebastian Hoeneß, who also has a past at the FC Bayern campus and is familiar with how training is organised there?
“I didn’t play directly under him on campus. But of course we often ran across each other, as I boarded there. He certainly also knew me through his discussions with the coaches. FC Bayern has a high standing and you certainly know what you can expect from the players who have been trained there at the youth performance centre. But ultimately I have to impress him now at Stuttgart,” Krätzig said.
Having made three competitive appearances for VfB this season, how satisfied are is he with his record so far?
“It’s everything I imagined it would be. Of course, I have to keep working hard to get my playing time. It won’t come by itself, I have to keep at it. But I’m very happy with my early days here,” said Krätzig.
In order to get playing time at left-back, Krätzig needs to compete with the Germany’s national team’s incumbent left back, Maximilian Mittelstädt. What is their relationship like?
“We get on well. It’s important to have a relationship where I can look up to him and learn a lot — but he also knows he can always rely on me. We still have a lot of games left, so I hope I’ll get my chances to play,” said Krätzig.
Krätzig’s career has been filled with adjustments to his position, from defensive midfield to attacking midfield to left-back. Krätzig’s experience at left-back was limited to mere months of playing the position at Bayern II, on account of an injury crisis, but now Stuttgart are only deploying him on the left. Does that mean he has finally settled into a permanent position at the left-back position?
“I play wherever the coach puts me. In Stuttgart, I’m primarily earmarked for left-back, so I’m focusing fully on the left-back position at the moment. But I also feel comfortable in other positions. I benefit from the fact that I’ve already played in other positions. Football is fast-moving, you never know what’s going to happen,” said Krätzig.
