Mönchengladbach (dpa) – The winter transfer window may also get a real hit in the Bundesliga. With the allegedly planned resignation as sports director of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Max Eberl himself is likely to become the biggest personality in the troubled Bundesliga club.
It could quickly become clear whether that will help the team, which recently suffered their seventh defeat in the past nine competitive games and will have to do without captain Lars Stindl for a longer period of time. The opponents after the possibly extremely turbulent break are Arminia Bielefeld (14th) and FC Augsburg (16th), Borussia are only three points away from FCA on the relegation place.
Has Eberl lost his way?
He has been doing this job with the Gladbachers for over 13 years. In October 2008 he started as sporting director at Borussia. Times of success distinguished him, made him one whose name has already been associated with FC Bayern. January 2022 – times have changed.
The messed up season so far, provisionally crowned by the embarrassing end of the cup against the second division team Hannover 96 and the already confirmed departures of two important players in the summer, makes Eberl doubt his effectiveness. And others probably on him. The new coach Adi Hütter – brought in from Eintracht Frankfurt for 7.5 million – has not yet ignited. The squad restructuring drew criticism.
In the meantime, there are “increasing quarrels and differences of opinion within the club,” says the broadcaster Sky, according to Sport1, long-time companions should be of the opinion that Eberl “has strayed from his straight path”. “The rumor has been circulating in the industry for a long time that Eberl could have an interesting offer from another club,” writes the “Kicker”.
The club should not give in so easily
He was once a player at Borussia, then coordinator for youth from 2004 to 2008 before Eberl became sports director. The merits are great. But that’s why the club bosses won’t let him go so easily. According to “Bild”, Eberl asked for his contract to be terminated at the end of the month, but club boss Rolf Königs refused. It should be about a possible transfer, especially since revenue from international business for the former Champions League participant is not in sight for the time being. Eberl’s contract is valid until the end of June 2026. As the “Bild” also reported, Königs Eberl should make it a condition that Eberl is not allowed to take over any other Bundesliga club for a year in the event of a separation.
These names are traded as successors
If Eberl actually ends his job on January 31, a successor will have no room for maneuver in the current transfer window. It will be one for future planning. Dieter Hecking, who coached Gladbach from January 2017 to May 2019, is being traded as a duo with former Borussia player Martin Stranzl – speculates the “Bild”. However, Hecking is currently the sports director at 1. FC Nürnberg. Rouven Schröder, sports director of Nuremberg’s second division rivals FC Schalke 04, is a candidate for Sky.