Nick Woltemade: "Müller the greatest German player" | OneFootball

Nick Woltemade on his breakout season with VfB Stuttgart, reaching the DFB Cup final and Thomas Müller

Nick Woltemade has enjoyed a breakout season at VfB Stuttgart and could claim the first silverware of his senior career in the DFB Cup final on 24 May. bundesliga.com sat down with the Germany U21 striker to discuss the 2024/25 campaign, his time at Stuttgart, Thomas Müller and more...

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bundesliga.com: You progressed to the DFB Cup final after dramatically beating RB Leipzig. It was hell to heaven for VfB in 90 minutes, and you followed that up with a win over Bochum at the weekend. How are your feeling after those two games?

Nick Woltemade: "Football is crazy. What we’ve accomplished this past week, how everything has turned around, just shows how quickly things can change in football, and how fast the business moves. And yes, I think the whole mood surrounding Stuttgart is very positive again now. We’re obviously very happy about that; it definitely makes working easier and more enjoyable. I think it’s been a very successful week for the club, for all the fans, for all of Swabia. I think it was something really cool that we achieved, and I think we can all look forward to what’s ahead.”

bundesliga.com: What was the atmosphere like during that victory over Leipzig? How would you describe the sheer force of the stadium, the atmosphere, the fans, that energy?

Woltemade: "It was insane. I think I’ve never experienced that kind of atmosphere in a stadium I’ve played in. I’ve said it before — everything was celebrated. Even when someone lost the ball, it was celebrated, as long as we chased it down afterwards. I think that really carried us through the game. It wasn’t easy — Leipzig were really good. They played very good football, which made it even harder for us. But I think we managed to do something with the fans that we maybe hadn’t managed in recent weeks — to attack at the right moment. That’s how we turned the game in our favor. When every tackle is celebrated like it’s the last one, it makes things a lot easier. I think for everyone in the stadium and watching on TV, it was just a very emotional game for us. And yes, I think we have a real shot at achieving something really great, and I think all of Swabia can look forward to that.”

bundesliga.com: You've managed 13 goals this season overall, which is not a bad return for your first year at a new club. How would you personally evaluate your campaign so far?

Woltemade: "I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t satisfied. I am satisfied. As I said, I also know what went into it - there were setbacks, ups and downs. But I’m very thankful that I was given time and that in moments where I could have gotten playing time, I was actually given that time. Sure, I was lucky that I often paid it back with goals right away. I’m still very grateful that I got the chance, even in moments when maybe someone was out or the team needed something different. And in the end, I’m very satisfied with how the season has gone so far. Of course, I still have goals for the remaining games,  and I also have plans for the summer. So yes, I’m completely satisfied with the development. I also know what it took to get here and what put me on the track to success. That’s why I want to keep working on myself and hopefully I’ll keep scoring goals.”

bundesliga: When you signed last summer, you were one of four strikers and weren’t even registered for the UEFA Champions League. Now, almost six months later, you’re an essential part of the squad. How would you describe your journey at Stuttgart?

Woltemade: “Full of ups and downs. I came here very excited but quickly realised I needed to give myself a bit of time, that it wouldn’t be easy. It was my first big transfer, and to last season's runners-up, so it wasn’t simple. The guys already here definitely had quality, so I needed some time. Sure, it was disappointing not to be registered [for the Champions League], but I also didn’t feel like it was totally undeserved. It was just due to the fact that I wasn’t yet at the level I could be. But I was open about that with myself. I said I’d give myself time, and I knew I needed that. I’m someone who thrives when I feel comfortable, that’s when I play my best. So I gave myself that time, even though it’s not always easy. I’d moved to the Bundesliga runners-up from Werder Bremen. There were four other strikers ahead of me, players with big names who came for big money. That’s just a logical process in football. So I was actually pretty relaxed about it. The coach talked to me a lot, the club management spoke with me often, and I always had a good feeling. That’s why I was convinced it was the right move, and now I’m really happy that everyone can see it was the right move, and that things have turned around. I think we all worked together for that. It’s nice to see it pay off."

bundesliga.com: You have a special connection to Stuttgart. Some of your family still lives here, and your dad was is a fan of the club. How does he have that link to club and did it impact you growing up?

Woltemade: “First, I spent a lot of time with my cousins here in Stuttgart. They really helped me during the early days. Without them, it probably would’ve been harder for me to settle into the city. The Stuttgart connection in Bremen... I don’t know where it came from. My dad has been a big Stuttgart fan since the “Magical Triangle” era, and now even more so with me playing here. We were in Bremen together recently, and he was really happy. I could see it in his eyes, that he’s proud of me and happy that I’m here and doing well. Where exactly it [his love for Stuttgart] came from, I’m not sure, but our hearts in Bremen definitely beat a bit for Stuttgart too. We used to watch all the games and went to a lot of away matches.

bundesliga.com: Bremen are actually your next Bundesliga opponents. How do you feel going into that, emotionally?

Woltemade: “The reverse fixture was more special for me since it was in Bremen, and it my first time facing them. I wasn’t sure what the emotions would be, returning home. I played at Werder for 14 year and knew basically everyone there. That was pretty surreal. Now I’m glad the game is in Stuttgart. I’m looking forward to seeing the guys again - I still talk to a lot of them. There’s definitely been some banter. We’ll see what the game brings. It should be a great match-up between two good footballing teams. Hopefully, with a better ending for us.”

bundesliga.com: You mentioned your long-standing links to Bremen and your early days there. When you were younger, your played with guys like Claudio Pizarro, Nuri Şahin, or Ömer Toprak? What do you learn from those kinds of Bundesliga stars?

Woltemade: “Back then, I might not have fully realised the importance. Sure, those guys were amazing players, but I was 17, and I wasn’t just walking up to them asking for tips. They talked to me a lot, supported me, which gave me a really good feeling at the time. I think that says a lot, and I’m still in touch with most of them today. It was cool to see, especially early on, that those guys were totally down-to-earth, just like anyone else. But back then, it all felt kind of like a movie. I think everyone who first comes up to the pros says that - it takes time to settle in and for everything to feel normal. At the time, I didn’t fully take it in. Looking back now, it was crazy who was there. But it was a cool experience and definitely helped me in the years that followed.”

bundesliga.com: You watch a lot of German football - the Bundesliga, but also the lower leagues. What makes it so special, in your eyes?

Woltemade: "I think you just have to look at the stands. From the first to the third division, every week the stadiums are full, and the atmosphere is crazy. I don’t think that’s something you can compare to other countries. I think that’s what makes German football special. This unique fan culture is not something you can take for granted. Every week when you walk into a stadium, you either get cheered or booed at an away ground, and even that is a great feeling, because you can feel the energy and everyone’s passionate about the sport. Everyone loves the game, and I think that’s something really special in Germany. That’s why I enjoy watching German football so much. There’s a lot of emotion and passion from everyone, on the field and in the stands. It’s really, really great to see."

bundesliga.com: Finally, big news has recently broke that Thomas Müller is leaving Bayern Munich. What admiration or appreciation do you have for such a distinguished German player?

Woltemade: "For me, he’s actually the greatest German player, and he definitely shaped me. He became big during the time when I was a little boy. So for me, it was always just Müller. In 2010 when the the World Cup was on, I was eight years old. That’s the time when you really start to understand how good someone is. I think he had a phenomenal career. I’m sure he’s heard that a lot by now, that he’s truly an exceptional player - and he is also a very interesting personality. I think he did a lot of good for German football and represented Germany perfectly. In our last game against each other, I even grabbed a jersey from him. I didn’t know then that he was going to leave Munich, but still, I did it because he’s an absolute legend to me. A world-class player.”

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