On September 25, Mönchengladbach CEO Stephan Schippers discussed the club's Bundesliga season start and the extensive personnel changes made over the summer.

Mr. Schippers, Mönchengladbach has lost all four opening Bundesliga matches before the international break and currently sits bottom of the table with zero points. How do you assess the team's current situation?

Schippers: After completing and winning a mandatory task in the DFB-Pokal, the Bundesliga season start has been extremely disappointing for me and everyone. That must be said very clearly. We led Elversberg 3-1 at home and should have maintained that advantage to the end. And the performance in the Freiburg match should never have happened.

Last Saturday in the match against Mainz, we could sense the team's desire to do better. But at the same time, we could also see the anxiety and lack of confidence stemming from the previous matches.

How do you explain the team's poor start?

Schippers: First, I think everyone agrees that our main problem right now is a lack of stability in defense. After changing head coaches, we need to rediscover our form and our style of play. This requires a rapid adaptation process and a coach who can help the team rebuild stability.

Alexander Blessin has always been known for his ability to organize a team and establish a clear structure. Our conversations with him convinced us. Now, all of us must take responsibility, especially the team itself.

I believe that hard work, discipline, and commitment at the highest level usually bear fruit in life. Therefore, we must do everything we can to achieve that. We all need to work together, do what we can off the pitch, but most importantly, perform on the pitch.

This can only be achieved if we show real unity, regardless of circumstances.

What is the second reason?

Schippers: This summer, we made many structural and personnel decisions regarding the team and coaching staff. In total, there were 52 personnel changes in the team and coaching staff. This is a very large number, and with such extensive changes, it takes time for all parts to truly gel together.

It also takes time for everyone to adapt to their new roles and maximize their strengths both individually and collectively with teammates.

Of course, we always hope everything will work immediately, but with change, there is no absolute certainty. Some adjustments take effect right away, while others take longer, and sometimes, depending on the specific situation, we must make timely adjustments, as we are doing now with the head coach position.

Why did Mönchengladbach undergo such extensive personnel changes this summer?

Schippers: Because it was necessary. The team needed fresh momentum and new energy.

At the same time, from a financial perspective, we still face considerable challenges, although the situation is gradually moving in the right direction.

To drive change, courage is needed. Our sporting director, Roland Virkus, emphasized "courage" as an important keyword in his speech at the general meeting. We stated we needed courage, and now we are truly being bold in pushing many things forward.

By selling some excellent players, we created a surplus in transfer revenue. We could not keep these players because other clubs made attractive offers. The transfer surplus also gives us more options.

Meanwhile, we also invested in some promising players. Through this approach, we also achieved the necessary cost reduction in wages.

These players can develop well at Mönchengladbach and create value for the club in the future.

For example, we are currently seeing very good results with our young players, including Rocco Reitz, Manu Koné, and potentially others in the future. Among young players from other clubs, Julian Weigl and Jan Olschowsky are prime examples. This is the development path that Mönchengladbach has always followed and continues to follow.

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