A lot had been expected from Adi Hütter following his success with Eintracht Frankfurt reaching the semi-final of the Europa League in 2018/19, but his departure could have been foreseen following Borussia Mönchengladbach’s failure to achieve a European finish for the second season in a row, only the fourth such finish in the last 11 years, at the end of the 21/22 season.
The appointment of Daniel Farke as head coach at the Borussia Park however will come as something of a surprise. The 45-year-old has signed a three-year-contract at the Fohlenelf until 2025.
Notable for his success with Norwich City which led to two promotions to the Premier League between 2017 and 2021, this is a first Bundesliga appointment for the Steinhausen-born former Borussia Dortmund U23 coach.
This is a big opportunity but also a substantial challenge. Borussia Mönchengladbach has been in turmoil after the departure of Marco Rose at the end of 20/21 who was then followed by sporting director Max Eberl who had been with the club for 13 years in January.
Farke will, very much like what he achieved at Norwich, need to take the club back to its roots and set a new direction.
Known by fans as the ‘Foals’, Borussia Mönchengladbach have a long history as a club of developing talented players like Marc-André ter Stegen, Marco Reus, Steffen Effenberg and Lothar Matthäus.
What makes Farke ideal for ‘Gladbach is his history with Norwich City of managing to get the ‘Canaries’ in a business sense punching well above their weight. Transfer surpluses were highly important for Norwich City as the club is run on a comparatively small budget.
City under Farke achieved a transfer surplus every season under his management selling players like James Maddison who was sold to Leicester City for €25 million and replaced with Emiliano Buendia for €1.5 million and then sold to Aston Villa for €38.4 million, per Transfermarkt.
Tactically Farke could also be a good match. During his time with Borussia Dortmund U23s and Norwich City, he became known for a similar very technical highly-attacking football that relies on pressing and counter-attacking similar to what was played at ‘Gladbach under Lucien Favre era between 2011 and 2015.
Farke will bring with him his two former assistant managers who he worked with at Carrow Road, Christopher John and Edmund Riemer.
Speaking to Kicker, sporting director Roland Virkus welcomed the appointment: “With Daniel Farke, we have been able to sign a coach who in sporting terms exactly fits the path we want to take.”
