Changes to the squad announced
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Eugen Polanski has survived the internal analyzes at Borussia Mönchengladbach and will continue to be the Foals’ head coach next season. “We decided together to continue with Eugen as head coach,” explained sports director Rouven Schröder on Wednesday. In addition, the official announced personnel changes at VfL – “in the playing squad, but also in the coaching team.”
With David Herold (23, KSC), Enzo Leopold (25, Hanover) and Daniel Batz (35, Mainz), Borussia have already presented three external newcomers for the coming season. Further decisions will follow. “There will be no business as usual,” emphasized Schröder. “We are full of energy and are really looking forward to the new season.”
After the disappointing season with 12th place in the table, those responsible, according to Schröder, went into the analysis “openly, ruthlessly and self-critically”. This resulted in a plan including measures, which was controversially discussed in the committees. “Of course not everyone agreed after last season – which is completely normal when a season went like this,” stated Schröder. “In the end we decided to tackle things together with Eugen.”
Polanski was involved in this analysis at all times. “He was very self-critical and also made many suggestions for improvement,” said Schröder. “You shouldn’t forget: Eugen is a young Bundesliga coach, and every Bundesliga coach starts at some point. Eugen accepted criticism of him and the difficult situation during the season, for example never complained about injury concerns and gained personal tools for his future.” Polanski’s contract runs until 2028.
Now the Gladbachers want to build a new coaching team around Polanski, which the ex-professional himself will be involved in putting together. Schröder argued for the 40-year-old: “As a young coach, Eugen has already mastered a number of challenges in his first Bundesliga position. He had no long-term preparation with the team in which he could have built something. He came into a difficult situation – including a new sports director – and accepted it and in the end led to success. He mastered numerous pressure situations during the season. And last but not least: He fulfilled his mission: We definitely wanted to stay in the league. Now we want Eugen the opportunity to have preparation to implement your ideas.”
