More and more top performers are leaving
39 goals away: Departures force Gladbach to rebuild
7/5/2023 9:03 p.m
Jonas Hofmann does not leave a hole behind with his departure from Borussia Mönchengladbach, but a crater: The 30-year-old is the next regular player to leave the Bundesliga soccer team this summer. The upheaval at Borussia is also huge off the pitch.
The storm and the dark clouds fitted into the picture. The approaching departure of Jonas Hofmann caused a gloomy atmosphere around Borussia Park on Wednesday, after all, the national player should become a rock in the surf and also the new captain of Gladbach in the middle of the already big upheaval. But now Hofmann is unexpectedly drawn to Leverkusen – the 30-year-old leaves a big hole.
Strictly speaking, it will be a crater: In Marcus Thuram (13 goals), Hofmann (12), Lars Stindl (8) and Ramy Bensebaini (6), Borussia loses its four best scorers of the past season in one fell swoop, 39 of the 52 goals scored the quartet. The number five on the list, the Swiss Nico Elvedi (3), is also already being traded as a possible departure.
At the latest, Hofmann’s change makes it clear that the five-time champion is facing a real turning point. “The upheaval will be a little bigger,” sporting director Roland Virkus had recently announced, which in retrospect sounds almost an understatement. After all, coach Gerardo Seoane and Nils Schmadtke are completely new to the club as sporting director license.
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After all: While Adi Hütter was surprised by many a personnel decision after signing in 2021, Seoane knew from the start what to expect. The “financial opportunities aren’t the same as before,” the Swiss had already said at his introduction and announced: “Part of the Borussia path is working with young players. I’m willing to go that path.”
In fact, the purchases made so far suggest a revival of the Fohlenelf. Defenders Fabio Chiarodia (18) and Lukas Ullrich (19) and striker Grant-Leon Ranos (19) are still teenagers, while left winger Robin Hack is almost old at 24. Franck Honorat from Stade Brest should also come as a Hofmann replacement, after all, already 26.
The commitment of Guido Streichsbier, most recently coach of the German U19 team, also fits in with the new youth style at Borussia. The move is “a real win for the Bundesliga,” said Joti Chatzialexiou, sporting director of the national teams.
And yet something has to happen in the squad, one or the other leader could well use Borussia’s youngsters. One like Granit Xhaka, for example, who left Borussia for Arsenal in 2016 and who is now about to return to the Bundesliga. But the Swiss probably has other plans – and prefers Bayer Leverkusen. Just like Jonas Hofmann.