The 2008-09 campaign delivered a spectacular resurgence for VfB Stuttgart, with Die Schwaben finishing 3rd in the Bundesliga as genuine title contenders, securing a coveted Champions League play-off spot. Leading the charge was the phenomenal striker Mario Gómez, whose 24 league goals were decisive in a campaign built on an incredible run of form under manager Markus Babbel. It was a standout, yet bittersweet, year that cemented the emergence of stars like Sami Khedira but concluded with Gómez's shock, record transfer to rivals Bayern Munich.