BERLIN, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Monchengladbach fired head coach Eugen Polanski on Sunday, a day after a crushing 5-0 defeat at Freiburg left the team without a point from its opening three Bundesliga matches.
Assistant coach Tobias Trulsen was also relieved of his duties alongside the 40-year-old Polanski. The decision came after sporting director Rouven Schroeder declined to publicly back the coach following Saturday's defeat, during which Gladbach captain Tim Kleindienst was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
"Despite a good preparation and positive approaches, the team failed to achieve the desired results in the Bundesliga," Schroeder said. "The performances shown recently led to the decision to relieve Eugen of his duties effective immediately. Eugen is a true Borussia man through and through. We thank him, and Tobias Trulsen, for their commitment to Borussia."
Polanski said the departure was painful.
"Borussia Monchengladbach was and remains my club," he said. "That is why it hurts so much that things have turned out this way. After securing Bundesliga survival last season, we changed a number of things this season. We had big plans but failed to put them into practice. I am sorry for that.
"I very much hope Borussia turns things around quickly. I wish the club, the team and all the wonderful fans only the best."
Co-coach Jan-Moritz Lichte, who previously served as head coach of Mainz, will take interim charge with support from Markus Gellhaus until a permanent successor is appointed.
Polanski came through Gladbach's youth system and made his Bundesliga debut for the club in 2005. He played 54 competitive matches for the first team before spells with Getafe, Mainz and Hoffenheim.
After retiring in 2018, Polanski returned to Gladbach and later coached the club's under-17 and under-23 teams before taking interim charge of the first team in September 2025. He was appointed permanent head coach two months later on a contract through 2028.
Gladbach, which finished 12th last season, hosts Mainz on Saturday before a three-week international break. ■
