Borussia Mönchengladbach have parted ways with head coach Eugen Polanski on 13 September 2026, after the club endured three consecutive defeats at the start of the 2026-27 Bundesliga season. The decision took effect immediately, ending a tenure that lasted just under a year at the Borussia-Park.

A Season Start to Forget

Gladbach's campaign opened with a 3-0 drubbing away at RB Leipzig, before the situation worsened with a 4-3 home defeat against newly promoted Elversberg. The final blow came in Matchday 3, when Freiburg handed them a heavy 5-0 loss — a result that sealed Polanski's fate. In three matches, Gladbach had conceded 12 goals without finding their footing, prompting the club's hierarchy to act without delay.

What the Club Said

Gladbach sporting director Rouven Schröder acknowledged that pre-season form had raised hopes, making the early-season collapse all the more difficult to accept. 'Despite a good pre-season and positive signs, the team have not managed to achieve the desired results in the Bundesliga. Recent performances led to the decision to relieve Eugen of his duties with immediate effect,' Schröder said in an official club statement. Schröder also paid tribute to Polanski's deep roots at the club, calling him 'a Borussia man through and through.'

Polanski's Gladbach Journey

Polanski's connection to Mönchengladbach runs deep — he progressed through the club's youth academy before representing the senior side between 2004 and 2008. He returned as part of the coaching staff and was named interim head coach following the departure of Gerardo Seoane, before being elevated to the permanent role in November 2025. He guided the club to a 12th-place finish in the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, steering them clear of relegation trouble. His assistant, Tobias Trulsen, has also been dismissed as part of the same coaching overhaul.

Polanski's Parting Words

In an emotional statement, Polanski expressed regret over the outcome. 'Borussia Mönchengladbach was and remains my club. That is why it hurts so immensely that things have turned out this way. After successfully avoiding relegation, we made a few changes for this season. We had set ambitious goals but could not deliver on them. I am truly sorry about that,' he said. The remarks underline the difficulty of his exit — one compounded by his personal history with the club.

What Happens Next

Interim head coach Jan-Moritz Lichte will take charge immediately, with Gladbach scheduled to host Mainz in their Matchday 4 fixture on Saturday. The club now faces the twin challenge of finding a permanent manager while halting a slide that has left them rooted to the bottom of the early Bundesliga standings. This is a pivotal moment for a historic club that has not won a league title since 1977, and whose recent seasons have oscillated between mid-table survival and Europa League ambition.