Borussia Mönchengladbach are making very good progress in their search for a new head coach. Sporting director Rouven Schröder offered an update on the situation ahead of Saturday's home match against FSV Mainz 05.
"We have managed to hold talks in peace. Fortunately, the public has not yet found out that we are on a very good path," said the 50-year-old in a conversation with Sky. Asked if he now had a favourite for the role, Schröder replied succinctly: "By now, yes." The new coach must have experience and a proven ability to handle difficult situations. Gladbach are in such a crisis following the dismissal of Eugen Polanski and three consecutive Bundesliga defeats. The club sits 17th in the table with zero points.
Two names ruled out
Schröder ruled out two specific names for the succession. Christian Titz, recently dismissed by Hannover and with whom Schröder discussed the Gladbach job in the summer, is not an option. Horst Steffen, a former teammate of Schröder's who he believes lives nearby, is also not under consideration. In an interview with DAZN, the sporting director made clear Steffen is "not a topic".
Lichte and Gellhaus to stay
Regardless of the new appointment, interim co-trainers Jan-Moritz Lichte and Markus Gellhaus will remain with the team. Their continued work in their current roles within the coaching staff after the interim period is a precondition for the new head coach position, according to Schröder. Lichte had previously stated he does not see himself as a head coach. Both will be in charge of the team again on Saturday against Mainz; a look at the current squad list shows the available personnel.
The sporting situation is tense. Following the 5-0 thrashing in Freiburg last weekend and the 3-4 home defeat to Elversberg in the DFB-Pokal, the club urgently needs a spark. The next match offers that chance: Against Mainz, whom they drew 1-1 with in their last meeting in April, they will be chasing their first points of the season on Saturday at Borussia-Park. The full schedule for the coming weeks can be found on our fixtures page.
First reported at Bild
