The year 2021 was extremely turbulent for Borussia Mönchengladbach, not only because of the pandemic, but also in sporting terms many things did not really go smoothly. Now sporting director Max Eberl looks back – but first and foremost wants to make quick personnel decisions for the new year.
“The best two weeks were right at the beginning,” Eberl stated in the final interview on the club’s website. At that time, Borussia had started the winter break with victories against Bielefeld (1:0) and FC Bayern (3:2) and remained unbeaten into February.
In the end, however, they only managed eighth place in the league, missed out on all three European competitions, and coach Marco Rose moved to Dortmund. “For me, this was the biggest disappointment in my job as sports director at Borussia. I had done everything to ensure that we would reach Europe again, but my decisions, which I made with full conviction, unfortunately did not take us there. I had to accept all the criticism that then came our way,” said Eberl self-critically.
Scally, Koné and Netz “Winners of the First Round “
But even in the new season and without the triple burden, things didn’t really go any better. With a new coach (Adi Hütter) and some great performances (5:0 against Bayern in the DFB Cup), there was always cause for hope, but a lack of consistency and weak performances (0:6 against Freiburg) ultimately led to a meagre haul of 19 points and 14th place after the first half of the season.
I want everyone to focus on the club, the second half of the season and this situation.
“I’ll be happy when 2021 is finally over and we have a little time to take a deep breath. The most recent phase was very intense and took a lot of energy. It’s certainly good for us to let it all sink in and try to take the positives with us after all the crap of the past few weeks,” said Eberl, who described the new signings Joe Scally (already in the winter), Luca Netz and Manu Koné as the “winners of the first half of the season”.
Eberl wants clarity – Zakaria and Ginter in focus
It will be exciting to see how Borussia will deal with the important players whose contracts are expiring. “I have told the boys in no uncertain terms that I want everything that has nothing to do with Borussia and the Rückrunde to be sorted out by the end of this year. I want everyone to focus on the club, the second half of the season and this situation.”
With this announcement, Eberl is probably referring to Denis Zakaria and Matthias Ginter (both 15 star appearances). Both players’ contracts expire next summer. While a stay with Ginter seems quite possible, Zakaria, on the other hand, could leave Borussia. “The players should also use the time to sort out all their issues left and right. We will also make a few decisions so that we can then start preparing for the second half of the season cleanly and clearly,” said Eberl.
Tough opening programme in the new year
The second half of the season begins on 7 January (8.30 pm) with record champions FC Bayern Munich, followed by the Foals hosting Bayer Leverkusen. Until then, Gladbach’s sporting director wants as much clarity as possible in terms of personnel, and new arrivals are not ruled out either.
