Borussia Mönchengladbach name Eugen Polanski permanent head coach
Eugen Polanski has been rewarded for sparking the green shoots of recovery at Borussia Mönchengladbach with the full-time head coach's job on a deal through to 2028.
Reserve-team boss and former Gladbach midfielder Polanski initially replaced Gerardo Seoane on an interim basis in mid-September.
The Foals had not won in the Bundesliga since late March of last season, but results have improved drastically in recent weeks, with back-to-back wins over St. Pauli and local rivals Cologne lifting them out of the relegation zone into mid-table. The Rhineland outfit also overcame Bundesliga 2's Karlsruhe to reach the DFB Cup last 16, where St. Pauli await on 2 December.
"I've never made a secret of the fact of what it means to me to be in this position at my hometown club," said Polanski. "Being the head coach of Borussia is something that provides me with a lot of joy and fills me with pride. Knowing I have the support of the club's management team is excellent motivation and underlines the work that the entire team has put in."
The Gladbach job is Polanski's first as a permanent head coach. He was previously in charge of the club's U17s, before taking over the reserves in 2022.
The 39-year-old - who made 54 appearances for Gladbach as a player - oversaw seven games in an interim capacity (W2, D2, L3), impressing the Borussia hierarchy with his meticulous approach and footballing philosophy.
"We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Eugen after what were open and constructive talks marked by mutual appreciation," said Rouven Schröder, Gladbach's head of sport. "From the beginning, he impressed us with his qualities, in terms of both character and ability, and we are convinced that we will be able to continue the positive development we've seen in recent weeks with him as our head coach."
Watch: Have Gladbach turned a corner?
Gladbach are back in action on 22 November, when they visit rock-bottom Heidenheim.
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