Talks between die Fohlen and the current Red Bull Salzburg sporting director have already taken place. Schröder is said to be very interested in the job and is open to moving to Borussia Park at such short notice. 

However, Gladbach will have to pay to release Schröder from his contract at the Austrian side, which is still valid until 2028. 

Rheinische Post reports that Schröder is not the only person the club are seriously considering as they look for their replacement for Roland Virkus. 

Schröder’s history with Gladbach:

Schröder was a candidate to replace Max Eberl at Gladbach back in 2022, but the move fell through. The 49-year-old has a wealth of experience in the Bundesliga, taking up the sporting director role at Werder Bremen, Mainz, Schalke and RB Leipzig, where he worked with Eberl before moving to the Red Bull club’s sister side in Austria. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan 

Polanski already threw one of the players who served under him at the Gladbach reserves, 19-year-old midfielder Charles Herrmann, into the fire. Herrmann took a corner late in Polanski’s debut match against Bayer Leverkusen and registered an assist on Gladbach’s late equalizer. Commenting on Herrmann’s deployment afterwards, Polanski noted that he felt the youngster to be fully ready.

Herrmann has not logged a single minute since the 1-1 Leverkusen draw, but another player Polanski had been talking up made his Bundesliga debut in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with SC Freiburg. Striker Jan Urbich (21) joined Polanski’s BMG II this past summer from Kickers Offenbach. The youngster has netted 11 goals for the Gladbach reserves thus far this year. 

Polanski turned to Urbich off the bench against Freiburg when it was time to sub off lead striker Harris Tabakovic. Urbich was preferred to the vastly more experienced Shuto Machino, who has mostly been filling the No. 9 role in Tim Kleindienst’s absence. The newly promoted forward threw himself into the action during his 21-minute-long relief shift. 

“It [playing in the Bundesliga] is every little boy’s dream,” Urbich said of his debut in the mixed zone afterwards. “I’ve worked hard for a long time to get here and I’m overjoyed that the coach gave me the chance. I was a bit nervous, but I think that’s normal in one’s first game.“

“I’ve already noted that some of the youths have a big opportunity here,” Polanski added at the post-match press conference. “But I’m not doing it to placate anyone. Charles and Jan have earned it.“

GGFN | Peter Weis

Gladbach are still working on hiring a replacement for Roland Virkus before making a decision on the head coach. With die Fohlen still working on this, Polanski will be allowed to stay on as head coach until the November international break.

This means Polanski, who was originally not meant to be in charge for long, will be in charge of games against Union Berlin, Bayern Munich, Karlsruhe in the DFB Pokal, St.Pauli and then the Rhein derby against 1.FC Köln. The derby could be the game that decides the future of Polanski at Borussia Park. 

Gladbach’s tough start to the season:

Gladbach have struggled in the early stages of the Bundesliga season as they have yet to win a game and find themselves 17th in the table. Under Polanski, die Fohlen have drawn twice and lost once, but the 6-4 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt was the most damaging and resulted in the resignation of Virkus. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan

Hamburg Make Mince Meat of Mainz 

Hamburg made it back-to-back home wins as they battered Mainz 05 4-0 on Sunday afternoon. HSV were on top from the first minute and found themselves 2-0 up after just nine minutes thanks to goals from Albert Sambi Lokonga and Rayan Philippe. Philippe would add to his first goal in the second half, bringing his tally for the season to three goals from six games. The forward had a failed move to Mainz in the summer and mocked the situation with his celebration by mimicking a phone call. 

HSV head coach Merlin Polzin opted for a new 3-4-3 formation, and it worked a treat against a side that was so successful last campaign. 

“We’re progressing and one can see that in our play with the ball and against the ball. We’ve more steps to take, but one senses – and this is vitally important – that the team is finding out who they are and the connections are getting better. The players need to feel it on the pitch,” explained Polzin. 

HSV move up to 9th in the Bundesliga, whilst Mainz drop to 16th. 

Bayern Breeze Past Frankfurt

Ahead of this one, it was billed as Bayern’s first big test this season. However, when Bayern went 0-1 up after 17 seconds through Luis Díaz, it was anything but a real test. 

Bayern once again dominated and showed just how powerful their forward line is this season. Vincent Kompany’s side went 0-2 before the break through a Harry Kane curled effort from 20 meters out. If you haven’t seen the goal already, I urge you to take a look. 

Diaz added to his first-half goal late into the second half to make sure that Bayern go six wins from six games in the Bundesliga. 

“I don’t think these games should be used as a yardstick to evaluate the boys right now,” Toppmöller insisted when conducting a post-match interview with Sky Germany after the match. “It’s important for us to know that we still have a little room for improvement in order to compete at this level.”

“No one has been able to keep up with Bayern at their level thus far [this year],” Toppmöller continued, adding special praise for Harry Kane’s distance effort that made it 0-2 in the 27th minute. “That was a typical Bayern goal and Harry Kane’s finish was simply world-class.”

For Frankfurt, it’s now 12 goals conceded in four games in all competitions. There’s no question that Frankfurt have an excellent team, but right now, their defensive displays will be worrying head coach Dino Toppmöller. Bayern stay top as Frankfurt drop out of the European places for the first time this season (7th).  

Dortmund Leipzig Stalemate 

Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig played a rather dull 1-1 draw that was billed as “the battle of the Bayern chasers”. In fact, the final xG stats (Dortmund 0.88, Leipzig 1.05) illustrate that the final scoreline was even a little generous. 

Dortmund remain undefeated this season ahead of their showdown with Bayern after the international break. Leipzig, meanwhile, continue their undefeated run since being battered by Bayern on opening night. 

In truth, both teams will probably be satisfied with the draw as Dortmund and Leipzig stay 2nd and 3rd, respectively. 

Around The Grounds

Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, FC Heidenheim still remains bottom following a 1-0 loss to VfB Stuttgart. The Swabians scored the winner just past the hour mark from time to add even more misery on Frank Schmidt’s side. Heidenheim stay bottom, whilst Stuttgart shoot up into 4th. 

Bayer Leverkusen have put their early-season woes behind them as they go 5th with a 2-0 win against Union Berlin. It’s the first time that B04 has registered back-to-back Bundesliga wins this season as new head coach Kasper Hjulmand looks to be making a positive impact on his squad. 

Borussia Mönchengladbach still remain winless going into the international break after a 0-0 draw against SC Freiburg. Despite that and amid all the administrative turmoil at Borussia Mönchengladbach, interim head coach Eugen Polanski has been given the green light to continue his audition on the sidelines.

There were also wins for FC Köln (0-1 vs TSG Hoffenheim), Werder Bremen (1-0 vs St. Pauli), and FC Augsburg (3-1 vs VfL Wolfsburg). 

GGFN | Jamie Allen

“I was always proud to represent the DFB Juniors,” Castrop told Kicker’s Oliver Bitter. “My mother left the decision up to me. It was a very difficult decision, and I thought about it for a long time. But I see myself as very Asian in terms of my character traits. I used to take taekwondo and being competitive is a very Asian trait of mine.”

When it comes to learning the language and culture, the German-raised 22-year-old admitted that he had to make some big adjustments. That nevertheless didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for his assignment one bit. Castrop found it an absolute privilege to play for the South Korean team against opponents like Mexico and the USMNT in the states last month.

“We played courageous Korean football,” Castrop said of recent friendlies played in New Jersey and Tennessee. “It was a really intense experience. In New York [where the team camped ahead of the USMNT match] it was basically a home game for us because there are so many Koreans there. South Korean fans seek physical contact with you and shed tears when you pass by. It’s extreme.

“Learning Korean isn’t like learning English or French,” Castrop said of the linguistic learning curve. “The structure of the language and the characters [are different]. I can now read things online, but I can’t understand those who speak Korean. Fortunately, everyone speaks English and I have an interpreter at team meetings. My mother can also teach me a lot, so I’m making progress.

“Everyone is very polite and bows when greeting one another,” Castrop said when talking about locker room culture. “There is a very clear hierarchy in terms of age. There is generally great respect for older people. As a young player, you’re the last to get into the elevator and you bring the others fruit after meals. No one leaves the table until everyone has finished eating.

“He is Korea’s hero,” Castop added what it felt like to play alongside Son Heung-min “The great leader leads the team, gives the speeches, and holds the whole team together. He talks to everyone and has a very close and good relationship with everyone. He really is an incredible personality and is a great person.“

GGFN | Peter Weis

“I receive a lot of support from the coaching team, the team, and club management,” Polanski told DAZN. “And I’ve also been given the signal that I can continue for the time being.” 

Gladbach appear poised to take their time deciding on whether Polanski or a new head coach will assume control of the team. The October international break at the very least grants BMG management the luxury of considering several options. The task of potentially recruiting a new head coach and ultimately installing a new sporting director currently falls to Gladbach managing director Dr. Stefan Stegemann.

Stegemann conducted a pre-match interview with DAZN, revealing that he’s been discussing the decisions with co-managing director Markus Aretz and scouting director Steffen Korell. The manner in which the club’s administrative structure is set up means that – in the absence of a sporting director – there technically isn’t someone with the full power to either extend or terminate Polanski’s contract. 

Naturally, this doesn’t mean that Stegemann himself or one of his colleagues couldn’t find a way to decide on the interim coach’s fate themselves. It nevertheless appears as if replacing Virkus would take precedence. When former chief personnel executive Max Eberl stepped down in the winter of 2022, Virkus was immediately elevated from his post in charge of the youth academy in order to ensure that a sporting director was in place. 

“I have a good feeling [about our process],” Stegemann said. “There are already candidates that we’d be happy to take on. Whether that will ultimately lead to a deal remains to be seen. We need someone who can establish a sporting philosophy within the department.”

GGFN | Peter Weis

BMG sporting director Roland Virkus once again expressed full support for Polanski following last Saturday’s result, then proceeded to resign on Tuesday. Polanski answered questions about Virkus’ departure for the first time at his Friday pre-match press conference, revealing that Virkus discussed the decision with him personally beforehand. 

Polanski proved himself to be a true child of Germany’s coal-mining Ruhrgebiet. The grassless dirt pitches on which the young and unglamorous football aspirants train are referred to as “Ascheplätze” (ash-fields). Virkus once taught Polanski the game of football on the notorious hard and unforgiving grounds.

“I didn’t expect it at all because it came without warning,” Polanski said. “When the moment came, I had no words. He [Virkus] trained me on the [Ruhrgebiet] dirt-pitches [when I was just a small boy.] I wouldn’t be in this situation without him.”

Polanski’s personnel decisions nevertheless still reflect a post-Virkus Era. The player who found himself a BMG pariah due to drunken insults directed at Virkus over the summer may be in line for his first Bundesliga start of the current campaign this weekend. 

Polanski turned to Florian Neuhaus as part of a 38th-minute tactical re-format after matters began falling apart against Frankfurt last week. Speaking highly of Neuhaus, Polanski made clear that the former German international could play from the beginning against Freiburg this time. 

“I have to admit that Flo played a very good game,” Polanski remarked on Friday. “He was involved in a lot of the [positive] action in the second half. He’s also been training well so, yes, there’s a chance that he will start.“

Despite all the pressure, tumult, and change enveloping Polanski and his club, there was a lighter, sweeter, and more humorous moment at the Friday presser. One reporter asked how Polanski’s family life was holding up amid everything. 

“Yeah, I have a large support system that I don’t see much,” Polanski answered with a sly smile. “Naturally, there’s plenty of support. Family is very important to me, even when there’s only time for a short hug and brief words-of-encouragement when I leave the house in the morning or a short ‘good-night’ in the evening.

“My younger son is really into it,” Polanski continued. “He wants to know about my lineup and always has questions that I seek to answer honestly. But one has to be careful about what one reveals as he’s in school and has friends who want to know about it too.

“They [my family] also support me in the stadium,” Polanski concluded. “I’ll try to make it home as soon as possible after today’s press conference, but they understand the job that daddy has to do at the moment. They get what’s going on from a footballing perspective.”

GGFN | Peter Weis

Gladbach’s search for a replacement is well underway. In an interview with the Rheinische Post, CEO Steffen Stegemann said: 

“We are holding discussions and preparing a decision, which we will then make together with the Executive Committee and Supervisory Board,

We’re first looking for someone in charge. Whether that’s a sports director or a sporting director depends on the profile we find and the profile that’s interested in taking on this job for Borussia,”

Gladbach’s search for a sporting director:

It is still not clear who will replace Virkus, with names such as Jonas Boldt and Nils-Ole Book mentioned, and there are now two further names, one is Jörg Schamdtke. 

Schamdtke spent a season at Liverpool as their interim sporting director and completed the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo. But it was in Germany where Schmadtke made a name for himself, as sporting director for Wolfsburg, Köln, Hannover, Aachen, whilst also recently having a supervisory role at Bochum. 

The younger Schmadtke, Nils, was also previously at Borussia Park as a sporting director, before moving to Bayern Munich as a scout. The elder Jörg was also assistant coach for current president Rainer Bonhof when he was die Fohlen’s head coach. 

If Gladbach were to hire Jörg, it is possible he would work in a duo alongside Jan Schlaudraff, who has previously worked alongside Schamdtke when the pair were at Wolfsburg. 

Another candidate is Lutz Pfannenstiel, who was previously sporting director at Fortuna Düsseldorf, while his most recent job was in the MLS with St.Louis City. Gladbach has held initial exploratory talks with Pfannenstiel. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan

When it comes to replacing Virkus, Elversberg sporting director Nils-Ole Book is a candidate, and Gladbach have held initial talks with the 39-year-old, but there are currently differences in the structural ideas of the club.

Other names mentioned are Jonas Boldt, who was previously at Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen. While internally, Steffen Korrell, who is currently the director of scouting and squad planner, could be promoted. Korrell was a candidate to replace Max Eberl back in 2022. 

Changes could be made at a higher level as well. Marcel Jansen could make a return to the club. Previously, Jansen was president at the Volksparkstadion. What exact role Jansen would be in contention for is yet to be seen. 

Then, on top of all this, it is the question mark of who will be the head coach. Eugen Polanski will have the final chance to suggest himself for the job against SC Freiburg on Sunday. If Gladbach decides on an external hire, Philippe Clement is said to be high on their list. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan 

Virkus has been associated with the club for over 35 years, first starting out as a youth coach in 1990 and making his way up to academy manager. In 2022, Virkus was the successor to Max Eberl after he left his role as sporting director due to burnout. 

On leaving Gladbach, Virkus said: 

“I’ve always said that the club is paramount, and that’s why I decided to take this step”

Club president Rainer Bonhof said: 

“We are united in our committees in the desire to reposition ourselves for the future direction in the sporting area. This step certainly wasn’t easy for Roland, as he lives and breathes Borussia and took on the position of Managing Director of Sport in February 2022 in a very difficult situation. We thank him for his commitment as Managing Director. He has worked for our club in various positions for more than 30 years, and he will always be a Borussia fan.”

What next for Gladbach?

The search for Virkus’ successor is now underway. Elversberg sporting director Nils-Ole Bock has been linked with the role of sporting director in recent weeks.

Whoever is hired will have a big challenge on their hands. The first major decision to be made will be to either back Eugen Polanski as the head coach or hire an external head coach. Considering this is an important decision that must be made soon, a successor must be appointed as soon as possible. 

The next tasks will be to make the necessary squad-building decisions to bring Gladbach back to where they belong in the hierarchy of German football. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan