Stuttgart Coach Criticizes El Khannouss's Performance Against St. Pauli: "I wasn't satisfied with his display and decided to substitute him at halftime"

09 February 2026at15:30

Stuttgart midfielder Bilal El Khannouss has seen a noticeable dip in his performance since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. The disappointment of losing the final with the Moroccan national team appears to have affected his form with the German club, particularly during their 1-2 defeat to St. Pauli, where he was substituted in the first half.

Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß told German newspaper Bild: "I wasn't satisfied with his performance, and we felt we needed to introduce a new impetus there, and that was the reason for the substitution."

Regarding not explaining the substitution decision to the player immediately, Hoeneß added: "I didn't explain it to him, and it wasn't necessary. We will discuss it calmly later."

El Khannouss had a strong first half of the season, establishing himself as a key player, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 25 official matches.

However, his recent decline in form has opened the door to speculation about his future. Media reports have linked his name with a potential move to the English Premier League, with Newcastle United reportedly interested in signing him. He is currently playing for Stuttgart on loan from Leicester City.

Q&A

Why was Bilal El Khannouss substituted during the Stuttgart vs St. Pauli match?

Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß stated he was not satisfied with El Khannouss's performance against St. Pauli, deciding to substitute him at halftime to introduce a 'new impetus' for the team.

How has Bilal El Khannouss's recent form affected his standing at Stuttgart and potential transfer speculation?

His noticeable dip in performance since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations has led to speculation about his future, with media reports linking the Leicester City loanee to a potential Premier League move, notably to Newcastle United.