Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach loses top performer Jonas Hofmann. As the new captain, he should have helped shape the upheaval.
This news came unexpectedly. For football fans in general and, of course, for Borussia fans in particular Moenchengladbach. There had already been corresponding media reports on Tuesday (July 4th, 2023), and the confirmation came on Wednesday: Gladbach’s Jonas Hofmann is moving Bayer Leverkusen and receives a contract until 2027.
The “Werkself” uses an exit clause in Hofmann’s contract of ten million euros, an almost modest sum by today’s standards.
Calculated but not considered a big risk
Said low exit clause was probably a calculated risk that Gladbach had to take when extending the contract with Hofmann in order to keep the identification figure. The 30-year-old only signed in August 2022 until 2025 with an option for another year.
Gladbach sports director Roland Virkus looks thoughtful.
This good news for all Gladbach fans (as well as the extension with striker Alassane Pléa) came at a time when the “foals” were trying to create a spirit of optimism in the run-up to the new season. After the disappointing season with coach Adi Hütter, sports director Roland Virkus hoped for a signal effect that the decisions of Hofmann and Pléa should “help to extend the contracts with other players”.
Actually a fixed point in the Borussia upheaval
For the other top performers on the offensive around French Vice World Champion Marcus Thuram – he recently moved to Inter Milan on a free transfer – and captain Lars Stindl, who is moving back to Karlsruher SC (2nd Bundesliga), this effect did not materialize. Also defender Ramy Bensebaini had to let Gladbach move to Borussia Dortmund without a transfer fee.
As one of four fixed points, namely goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, central defender Ko Itakura and midfielder Julian Weigl, Hofmann should have helped shape the great upheaval in Gladbach as the most established player. Gladbach had recently even submitted a new offer to Hofmann “that met all the conditions he had set,” said Virkus on Wednesday. “The fact that he still decided to activate the release clause does not leave a good feeling.”
Just a few weeks ago, Stindl, who had emigrated, suggested him as the new captain according to WDR information; unsurprising given Hofmann’s role at the club, consistent performances and leadership on the pitch.
Home-European Championship big goal for Hofmann
But the Gladbach identification figure, who came from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, has his personal goal of participating with the German national team in the home European Championship in 2024.
Jonas Hofmann (right) talks to national team colleague Niclas Füllkrug on the bench.
Even before his extension in August last year, Hofmann had exchanged views with national coach Hans-Dieter Flick: “But to be honest, he didn’t play a decisive role in my decision. Nonetheless, with regard to a possible World Cup participation, match practice plays a role.”
The development of VfL, away from the haze of international places and towards the gray league mediocrity, should have caused concern with regard to this goal. In Leverkusen, under coach Xabi Alonso, the European floor with playing time in the Europa League beckons.
Complete Gladbach offensive falls away
And so in Gladbach the new coach Gerardo Seoane and the new sports director license, Nils Schmadtke, have to manage an almost huge upheaval instead of a big one.
The four top scorers of last season – the only bright spots given the disappointing performance – are eliminated: Thuram (13 goals/six assists) Hofmann (12/10), Stindl (8/7) and Ramy Bensebaini, who scored six times as a full-back and prepared a goal.
So far, mainly talents on the shopping list
Also midfield jewel Manu Koné, who injured himself at the U21 European Championship, is considered a candidate for sale. The purchases made so far are young talents: defenders Fabio Chiarodia (18) and Lukas Ullrich, and striker Grant-Leon Ranos (both 19).
Borussia’s youngsters could use one or the other leader. One like Granit Xhaka, for example, who left Borussia for Arsenal in 2016 and who is now about to return to the Bundesliga. But the Swiss probably has other plans – and according to media reports prefers Bayer Leverkusen. Just like Hofman.
