At the end of January, Max Eberl dropped the bomb: The manager, who had been the face of Borussia Mönchengladbach for almost 14 years, announced that he was retiring from his post and “wouldn’t have anything to do with football for the time being”. Rumors about possible successors shot up like wildfire. The flirt with Rouven Schröder from FC Schalke 04 seemed particularly hot. Now it has been revealed why the change ultimately burst.
Although Rouven Schröder did not react enthusiastically when he was confronted with a possible change from FC Schalke 04 to Borussia Mönchengladbach after the speculation became known, an engagement with the Fohlenelf was said to have been “absolutely conceivable” for the S04 sporting director. This is reported by “Sport Bild”.
That should also have applied to Gladbach. Especially since Max Eberl is said to have recommended Borussia Schröder as a possible successor for him. The first contacts between Gladbach and Schröder are said to have fueled “concrete hopes” for a change in the summer. The catch is that nothing works without the consent of Schalke. Schröder is still under contract with the Knappen until the end of June 2024, and there should not be an exit clause.
“The Gladbach door is now closed for Schröder”
According to the report, the turnaround followed last Thursday. After “Sport Bild” confronted Schröder with the information that he was looking for a change, he is said to have exchanged views with Schalke’s sports director Peter Knäbel and asked that the royal blues end the rumors – in the interests of the club.
Schröder is said to have made it clear to Knäbel that speculation about his person could jeopardize the goal of returning to the Bundesliga. According to the report, there was talk of the danger of a “wildfire” at FC Schalke 04. Shortly thereafter, the club and Schröder denied it.
It is said that there will be a change in the summer. “The Gladbach door is now closed for Schröder,” concluded the “Sport Bild”.