The 2-1 win secured Stuttgart their Bundesliga status for at least one more season.
“First of all I have to apologise for lying to you when I said we’d be battling against relegation until the final day of the season,” Labbadia told the club’s official website.
“The team deserve a massive compliment for the way we played tactically today, because we knew Hannover are good on the break and wanted to let them come at us. It was a real effort for all of us and a fantastic achievement to have notched up 30 points since the winter break.
“It was really hard work but we’ve all learned from that. The lads have two days off no and should really enjoy them.”
