Gladbach sporting director Eberl steps down, feels ´drained´ and ´tired´

Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl has stepped down from the role after becoming “drained” and “tired”.

Eberl has served in the post for 13 years but confirmed on Friday at an emotional news conference that he was calling it quits.

The former Gladbach defender, who signed as a player in 1999, revealed that he was no longer enjoying the job.

“This is by far the hardest press conference I have had to hold in my time as sporting director at Borussia,” said Eberl. 

“I am drained. I am tired. I just no longer have the energy to carry on fulfilling this role in the way the club deserves.

“After 23 years [with Gladbach], I’m calling time on what has become my life. My work here has always been a joy, but there are things in and around the job that are no fun any more.”

#DankeMax  pic.twitter.com/bGPCdQxIYd

— Gladbach (@borussia_en) January 28, 2022

He leaves at a time when Adi Hutter’s side are slipping down the table amid a run of just four points from the past eight games, while second-tier Hannover dumped them out of the DFB-Pokal this month.

But Eberl, who extended his contract in 2020, insists the team’s slide has nothing to do with his decision.

“I can understand the people who might question the timing of my decision with the position the club is in,” he said. 

“But I just don’t have the strength to keep doing this job the way I have for so long.

“I extended my contract 13 months ago and would never have thought that I’d be sitting here today. I’m somebody who puts 100 per cent into everything I do. I have done that for 13 years as sporting director.”

Speaking about his plans for life after football, he added: “I just want to be Max Eberl. I want to see the world and just focus on myself for once in my life.

“I haven’t made this decision in order to move to another club. For now, I don’t want anything to do with football.

“My wish is for football to be the focus rather than making a circus of everything surrounding it. I feel like more respect is needed. There had already been abuse and rumours about my decision before I had even said a single word.

“You don’t have to worry about me. I will enjoy myself and perhaps I’ll just fall off the map for a while. It was an honour to be able to work for Borussia Mönchengladbach.”