Virkus exits amid a turbulent start to the season
Roland Virkus is no longer the sporting director of Borussia Mönchengladbach. The club confirmed on Tuesday afternoon, September 30, 2025, that the president and the supervisory board had relieved him of his duties at his own request. The announcement comes after a spate of poor results and increasing pressure from fans and pundits alike.
The statement noted that Virkus had, on his own suggestion, stepped back from his responsibilities, marking the end of a long association with the club and a high‑stakes period of change in the team’s sporting direction.
Background: a long tenure and a reshaped role
From 1990 to 2022 and beyond
Virkus has been with Borussia Mönchengladbach since 1990, and since 2022 he had led the club as sporting director. His tenure spanned multiple eras at a club known for its academy and a tradition of steady development. The departure signals a turning point after more than three decades of service, as the club seeks a new blueprint for competitiveness in the Bundesliga’s fiercest league.
Team performance and leadership changes
The decision to part ways with Virkus comes in the wake of a dismal start to the season, which left the side at the bottom of the table. Earlier in the campaign, head coach Gerardo Seoane had already departed, and interim coach Eugen Polanski took charge, earning a point in two matches. The club now faces the challenge of steadying the ship in a crucial period with a key match looming against SC Freiburg.
Recent events: the game that intensified the pressure
Defeat and crowd reaction
The latest setback was a 4-6 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt (SGE), a game in which the atmosphere in the home end was tense and unmistakable, with chants calling for Virkus’ head. The strong reaction underscored the urgency within the club to re-evaluate personnel decisions and transfer strategy as the season progresses.
Interim plans and the Freiburg showdown
With Virkus stepping aside, interim boss Eugen Polanski remains in charge for the important fixture on Sunday against SC Freiburg. The match, scheduled for 19:30 CET, will be a test of whether the team can stabilize under new leadership and arrest the negative spiral that has plagued the early part of the campaign. The club has not yet named a permanent successor to Virkus, leaving a period of uncertainty as it charts a course forward.
What comes next for Borussia Mönchengladbach
Evaluating transfer policy and coaching decisions
The departure was widely interpreted as a consequence of criticism directed at Virkus’ transfer policy in the summer and what some described as a cautious approach to the coaching question. As the club searches for a new sporting director, board members are expected to scrutinize the club’s transfer strategy, scouting network, and the decision‑making process surrounding coach appointments. This period of reorganization is likely to influence the club’s approach to recruitment in January and beyond.
A club in transition
Virkus’s public remark that the club must stand above individuals underpins a broader message from the leadership: stability and a clear sporting plan are essential to navigate a difficult season. While fans and analysts will debate the best path forward, the immediate priority is to steady performances on the field and restore confidence in the club’s long‑term strategy. The absence of a named successor means supporters will be looking to the management and the interim coaching staff to deliver tangible results in the coming weeks.
Bottom line
Roland Virkus’s exit represents a pivotal moment for Borussia Mönchengladbach. After more than three decades with the club and a recent stint as sporting director, his decision to step down—taken in coordination with the board—reflects the weight of the current crisis. As the team prepares for a critical clash with Freiburg, all eyes will be on who will lead the club’s sporting project next and how quickly the club can align its transfer strategy, coaching appointments, and on‑field performance for a renewed push up the Bundesliga table.
