Borussia Mönchengladbach is in deep crisis after a disastrous start to the season. The Foals lost their opener 0:3 to Leipzig and suffered a 3:4 defeat to Elversberg in the second match, leaving them 17th in the Bundesliga table with zero points and a goal difference of minus four. According to a report by Bild Sport, tensions are running high behind the scenes, with nerves frayed and disagreements brewing over the squad's composition.
Why the leadership is nervous
The sporting leadership around 50-year-old Sport-Boss Rouven Schröder and CEO Stefan Stegemann (62) is growing increasingly nervous about the success of their new strategies. After just two matchdays, the mood is tense, and fans voiced their frustration by whistling during the home game. President Rainer Bonhof (74) must watch a team that appeared overloaded and error-prone in phases. The current injury list with five players, including Daiki Hashioka and Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn, exacerbates the personnel situation further. The full lineup and all absences can be found on our squad page.
What role Tim Kleindienst plays
Captain Tim Kleindienst, 31, is at the centre of the discussions. The striker has yet to score in the league and triggered further internal conflict with a controversial statement on TikTok. "His inflammatory statement is just one incident causing divided opinions behind the scenes," Kleindienst himself said. This remark is seen as evidence of discord within the player group. The offensive output is a major issue, as with only three goals scored and seven conceded, Gladbach is lagging far behind the competition.
How much pressure Polanski is under
Coach Eugen Polanski, who only took over in the summer at the age of 40, is already under immense pressure after the first two defeats. The poor performances and obvious internal friction are testing his authority early on. The leadership expects a quick turnaround, but the next task could hardly be more difficult. On September 12, they travel to face second-placed SC Freiburg. The complete fixtures list shows a demanding schedule in the coming weeks.
What the next games mean
The clash in Freiburg will be a test of character for the entire team. Another setback would deepen the crisis and widen the gap to the top group, which is already six points ahead. Gladbach urgently needs to find stability and reduce their error rate. The current table on our standings page documents the urgent need for action. The focus is now entirely on preparing for the game this Saturday, September 12, 2026.
