Borussia Mönchengladbach dismiss coach Eugen Polanski after winless league start

Dismissal after winless start

Borussia Mönchengladbach announced on Sunday, 13 September 2026, the dismissal of head coach Eugen Polanski and assistant coach Tobias Trulsen. The decision follows three consecutive defeats in the opening matches of the 2026/2027 Bundesliga season. Gladbach opened their campaign with a 0:3 defeat against RB Leipzig, followed by a 3:4 home loss to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg and a 0:5 away defeat against SC Freiburg. The side sits in last place in the Bundesliga table with zero points and a goal difference of 3:12. Polanski is the first Bundesliga head coach to leave his post during the 2026/2027 campaign. German outlet Rheinische Post reported that the 40-year-old had offered his resignation to the squad and management earlier on Sunday, while the club's official communication confirmed an immediate release from coaching duties.

Club statement and interim succession

Sporting director Rouven Schröder explained the club's decision in an official release published on the team website. Schröder acknowledged the work carried out during the summer while pointing to the gap between pre-season expectations and early league outcomes.

Despite a successful pre-season and several promising signs, the team failed to achieve the results in the Bundesliga that we had hoped for.

Schröder added further details regarding the immediate managerial change and thanked the coaching staff for their service.

Our recent performances led us to the conclusion that a change is necessary, so with immediate effect we have relieved Eugen of his duties. Eugen is a Foal through and through. We would like to thank him and assistant Tobias Trulsen for everything they have done for the club.

The club confirmed that Jan-Moritz Lichte will take over first-team managerial duties on an interim basis while the search for a permanent successor takes place.

Polanski tenure and record

Polanski initially stepped into the head coaching position on 15 September 2025 as caretaker manager before signing a permanent contract in November 2025 that was scheduled to run until 2028. During the 2025/2026 campaign, he guided the squad to top-flight safety following a difficult phase. Over his entire tenure of 37 matches in charge, Polanski recorded 11 victories, 10 draws, and 16 defeats.

Following his dismissal, the Sosnowiec-born manager reflected on the club's trajectory and expressed hope for an improvement in form.

After staying up in the league last season, we made a series of changes before the start of the current campaign. We had ambitious plans, but we were not able to realise them. I very much hope that Borussia quickly manages to turn the season around.

Playing career and club roots

Polanski built a long association with Borussia Mönchengladbach before taking charge of the first team, having developed as a youth player and made his professional debut at the club. After retiring from playing, he worked within Gladbach's academy and reserve structures. At international level, Polanski made 19 appearances for Germany's under-21 squad before representing Poland's senior national team on 19 occasions, including appearances at Euro 2012. His final international cap for Poland came on 5 March 2014. The current Gladbach squad also includes Polish defender Jan Leszczyński.