Borussia Mönchengladbach is close to reaching its goal in the search for a new sporting director: Rouven Schröder is set to sign on the dotted line.
Rouven Schröder celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday, shortly before changing employers once again. His move from RB Salzburg to Borussia Mönchengladbach is in the final stages and only a matter of time, according to reports in the Salzburger Nachrichten. Around two weeks after Roland Virkus’ resignation, the crisis-stricken Foals are on the verge of signing a new sporting director. Because Schröder is still under contract as sporting director in Salzburg until December 31, 2028, Gladbach will have to pay a transfer fee. Schröder moved to Austria in December 2024, his first move abroad in his career as an official. Prior to that, he had worked as sporting director at RB Leipzig for a good year and a half. He had been lured there by the then Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl, who had previously intended to do the same in Gladbach. And when Eberl resigned from Borussia in January 2022, Schröder was already a candidate to succeed him.
Now, on the third attempt, the partnership is coming to fruition, albeit in a complicated sporting situation. Gladbach have not won in the Bundesliga since March. Last year’s tenth-placed team is currently in second-to-last place with only three points from six games. On Friday, interim coach Eugen Polanski’s team will open the sixth matchday with an away game against 13th-placed Union Berlin. It can be assumed that Schröder will already be in office by then.
Schröder has already held positions of responsibility in the Bundesliga at SpVgg Greuther Fürth, Werder Bremen, 1. FSV Mainz 05, FC Schalke 04, and Leipzig. At his new club, clarifying the coaching situation is likely to be high on his agenda. Polanski took over from Gerardo Seoane in mid-September and, according to current internal plans, is expected to remain in office until the international break in November.
