According to statements by Borussia Mönchengladbach’s club president Rolf Königs, Roland Virkus was not the ideal solution as the new sports director and successor to Max Eberl.
“Three weeks ago, Max Eberl informed us that he was resigning from his position as sports director with immediate effect. We then approached Steffen Korell, who informed us that he would like to continue working as a squad planner and scouting director,” revealed Königs at the official presentation of Virkus on Tuesday.
After Korell’s rejection, Gladbach initially “spoke to two external candidates,” said the club boss. “Then we approached Roland Virkus and asked him if he could imagine working as sporting director. He asked for some time to think it over and then agreed to it last Friday.”
Gladbach: Roland Virkus “an ambitious and outstanding guy”
Virkus, who previously worked as youth coordinator in Gladbach, has “been at Borussia for more than 30 years and knows the club like no other,” added Königs.
Vice President Rainer Bonhof also praised the new head of sport: “I’ve known Roland Virkus for about 25 years. I know that he’s an ambitious and outstanding guy who also has incredible expertise.”
Virkus himself thanked for the trust placed in him. “I know I’m following in big footsteps. Max Eberl has done an excellent job for Borussia. I’m looking forward to this new challenge. My goal is to get Borussia back on track, which they have been a little off of in the pandemic came off,” said the 53-year-old.
Cancellations by Rouven Schröder and Dieter Hecking
After Eberl’s sudden departure, Rouven Schröder (FC Schalke 04) and ex-coach Dieter Hecking (1. FC Nürnberg) were traded in Gladbach. However, both publicly declined.
Virkus is now a clearly “smaller” solution – which was obviously not originally considered by the club’s management.