Gladbach turn to Lichte after Polanski’s departure

Borussia Mönchengladbach have placed Jan-Moritz Lichte in interim charge following the departure of head coach Eugen Polanski. The immediate task is preparing a team still without a Bundesliga point for its next match against Mainz, while the club seeks a permanent head coach.

Borussia’s official statement confirms that Polanski and assistant Tobias Trulsen have been relieved of their duties. Lichte will lead the team with support from Markus Gellhaus and the coaching staff until a successor is found. The statement does not name a permanent replacement.

What the interim appointment changes

Sporting director Rouven Schröder attributes the decision to the team’s recent performances and failure to achieve the desired league results. Polanski, who first took charge on an interim basis in September 2025, had received a head-coach contract through 2028 that November, according to the club.

WDR’s report, carried by Tagesschau, records three defeats from three league games, three goals scored and 12 conceded, following the 5–0 loss at Freiburg. It identifies Mainz as the next opponent on Saturday. WDR reported the departure on 13 September; Borussia’s statement currently carries a 14 September date.

Lichte already belongs to the coaching staff. WDR reports that he joined from Manchester City’s youth setup during the summer, initially in a role focused on development. That gives the interim period some continuity while responsibility for the first team changes.

Continuity is a starting point, not a verdict

Our view is that an interim coach’s first choices should make the players’ immediate responsibilities clearer. A short preparation period limits how many new ideas can be made reliable before the next match. Keeping familiar elements can help, provided the review also identifies which existing habits are exposing the defence.

The counterargument is that familiarity alone has not produced points. Lichte’s presence in the previous staff does not establish that the next performance will improve, just as a different name on the touchline would not prove that improvement either. The useful next evidence will be the team’s preparation and performance against Mainz, followed by an official decision on the permanent role.