It appeared inevitable and now it’s been confirmed as Borussia Möchengladbach fired trainer Jos Luhukay today in their wake of their defeat to Köln (and their fourth straight). After seven games, six of which they’ve lost, Gladbach sit at the bottom of the table with only three points. The team was perhaps too ambitious in seeking not only to avoid relegation but to secure a mid-table position this year. Unfortunately their leaky defense has allowed 15 goals (second only to Bremen, who doesn’t play defense) and their offensive fared little better ranking third worst behind fellow relegation-battlers Cottbus and Frankfurt.
“The club’s management and leadership discussed the situation at length last night and today. We came to the conclusion that we’re going to continue without Jos Luhukay,” according to President Rolf Königs. “Jos Luhukay is the trainer who got us promoted and for that we thank and respect him. We value him personally and professionally, but despite this the current sporting situation necessitated a separation.”
“We’re looking starting now for a new trainer, who’ll fit with the club and the team, but we’re going to do this calmly and carefully. There won’t be a hasty decision made, so I’ve agreed to train the team for the time being,” according to former player and current director of football, Christian Ziege. From June 2006 until taking his current director of football role in March 2007 Ziege led Gladbach’s U-17 juniors. This, however, is his first time in charge of first-team players.
Was this the wrong move and shoud Luhukay been given more time? Is Ziege the man for the job full-time? If not, who should Gladbach’s management turn to in order to reverse their dismal season?
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4 comments… read them below or add one
I knew it's a matter of time. Especially after the derby against Cologne.
Rumour has it (this is before the inevitable happened) that Mirko Slomka has been linked to the job.
I think who Gladbach could really use is Klopp. Too bad he's working his magic at Dortmund. I've always considered Slomka to be someone who's good with good players (I know that sounds silly, but look at the mess Klinsmann's making at Bayern). I would like to see him back in the Bundesliga, but I'm not so sure anyone can save this sinking ship. Except, perhaps, for Hans Meyer.
“I've always considered Slomka to be someone who's good with good players”
Does that mean you think he did a bad job at Schalke? Or do you think Schalke have good players?
I think someone like Slomka knows how to give a team defensive stability. Something that Gladbach need more than anything. He can develop young players. In the long term, he's a coach who could establish Gladbach in the upper half of the table again.
Also heard Slomka linked with the oisition. But don't think he's the man for the job. I'm not a big fan of him so maybe I'm not objective but I think he would be a poor choice from Gladbachs side at this point. He couldn't controll Schalke and when if comes to disaster potential and powerful interest groups Gladbach can be an even bigger minefield.
Also their biggest concern actually is not on long term developement I would think, otherwise why would they kick out Luhukay who did have a long term plan.
Hans Meyer was linked to them as well. There have always been voices asking why he was fired some years back in the first place. But I remember there were bad feelings involved, donno if they can get him to go for the job again since he wanted to retire even before he went to Nurenberg.
Doll has proven to be able to turn teams arround within half a season, so why not get him for now. Since he has also proven to be not very succesful at mid and long term team building someone else could be brought in for next season, possibly going for the Slomka deal then or the Ziege option.