VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness has brushed aside speculation regarding an approach from Real Madrid ahead of the sold-out German Cup semi-final against SC Freiburg on Thursday. Speaking at a news conference, Hoeness stated, "It doesn't interest me much at all right now," emphasizing his commitment to Stuttgart's objectives for the season, which include defending their Cup title and striving for a Champions League spot through the Bundesliga. Reports from Sport Bild suggest that Hoeness is being considered by Madrid as they search for a replacement for coach Álvaro Arbeloa. With a successful tenure at Stuttgart, including a Bundesliga second-place finish in 2024, Hoeness is seen as a strong candidate for any future vacancies at Bayern Munich, where he previously coached the reserve team. He extended his contract with Stuttgart until 2028 last year. As they prepare for the semi-final, Hoeness expressed excitement about the upcoming match, saying, "Winning trophies is the ultimate thrill."