Borussia Mönchengladbach is in deep trouble. The Bundesliga side has not played in European competition since the 2020/21 Champions League season. As of today, Gladbach sit 12th in the Bundesliga, 0 points ahead of the new campaign.
Why Gladbach’s European dream is dead
Once a Bundesliga heavyweight, Gladbach now struggles to stay relevant. Five league titles and two UEFA Cup wins feel like distant memories. Since 2021, the club has missed out on Europe entirely. The 2025/26 season ended in 12th place with 38 points – enough to avoid relegation, but far from European football.
The reasons run deep. Structural issues and financial shortfalls have caught up with the club. Add mismanagement, coaching changes, squad devaluation and injury woes, and the picture becomes clear.
How Max Eberl’s exit shattered Gladbach’s foundation
Under sporting director Max Eberl, Gladbach enjoyed one of the Bundesliga’s most impressive rises between 2011 and 2021. Four top-four finishes and a Champions League round-of-16 run in 2021 marked the peak. But the squad’s market value crashed from €310 million in 2020 to €154 million by 2025/26.
The turning point came in January 2022. Eberl resigned in tears, leaving behind a side with no succession plan. In the next 18 months, key players like Matthias Ginter, Marcus Thuram and Ramy Bensebaini left for free. GladbachLive calculated a €93.7 million loss from these departures.
Why missing millions decide everything in modern football
In today’s Bundesliga, money talks. Clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig boast far higher transfer budgets and deep-pocketed backers. Leverkusen, crowned champions in 2024, fields a squad worth nearly double Gladbach’s current valuation.
Without European football, Gladbach loses more than prestige – it loses revenue. The 2020/21 Champions League run brought income, but since then the club has been absent. The result is a weakened squad and fading competitiveness.
What’s next for the Fohlen?
The 2025/26 season ended in 12th place. To climb back up, Gladbach must rebuild its structures. But without financial backing and long-term planning, the European dream remains out of reach. The new season kicks off with 0 goals scored, 0 conceded (0 goal difference) – a stark reminder of the road ahead.
