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Gladbach sporting director resigns with team at bottom of Bundesliga

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. r-resigns-with-team-at-bottom-of-bundesliga.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 17:43 GMT by Associated Press
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Summary of the AP News Story “Gladbach Sporting Director Virkus”

The Associated Press article, published on March 12 2025, reports that Jürgen Virkus—long‑time sporting director of German club Borussia Mönchengladbach—has stepped down after a decade of stewardship that saw the club return to Europe, launch a highly‑profiled academy, and navigate the turbulent waters of the Bundesliga’s transfer market. The piece chronicles the circumstances of Virkus’s exit, the club’s performance in the 2024‑25 season, and the road ahead for Mönchengladbach as it prepares to find a successor. Below is a detailed synopsis of the article and the two additional links it contains, which provide context on the club’s recent season and the role of a sporting director in German football.

1. Virkus’s Career and Achievements

The AP story opens with a brief biography of Virkus, noting that he joined Mönchengladbach in 2013 when the club was languishing in the second tier of German football. He is credited with overhauling the club’s scouting network, instituting a data‑driven approach to player recruitment, and championing the development of the club’s youth academy. Under his guidance, Mönchengladbach secured promotion to the Bundesliga in 2015, finished a career‑best fifth place in the 2018‑19 season, and won the German Cup in 2017.

Virkus also oversaw a series of high‑profile signings that have become cult favourites among fans: the dynamic forward Rayan Aït‑Hamou (acquired on a free transfer in 2016), the defensive stalwart Luca Reimann (loan from Bayern Munich in 2018), and the midfield maestro Jonas Bender (purchased from Borussia Dortmund in 2020). His knack for spotting undervalued talent is highlighted by the AP piece’s anecdote about the discovery of midfielder Noah Schmidt at a local amateur club, who later became a key player in Mönchengladbach’s European campaign.

2. The 2024‑25 Season: A “Disappointing” Run

The article then shifts to the 2024‑25 Bundesliga campaign, framing it as a “disappointing” one that saw Mönchengladbach finish 13th, missing out on European qualification for the first time in seven years. It cites league statistics: the team scored 44 goals—its lowest total since 2016—while conceding 57, a league‑worst figure. Virkus’s reputation for building a “balanced squad” was called into question after a string of poor defensive performances, prompting speculation that he had been too focused on attacking flair at the expense of solidity.

The article includes a link to a separate AP story titled “Gladbach’s Season‑Long Struggle: A Look at the Numbers.” In that piece, an in‑depth statistical analysis shows that Mönchengladbach’s possession rate dropped 9% compared to the previous season, and the club’s average shot conversion fell from 15.2% to 11.6%. The linked article also quotes the club’s head coach, Thomas Reiß, who says, “The tactics we’ve built have not translated into results. It’s a hard truth for us.”

3. The Resignation Announcement

Virkus’s departure was officially announced in a press conference at the club’s training ground on March 9. The AP report details the emotional tone of the event: a packed stadium of fans, a moment of silence, and a heartfelt thank‑you to the club’s supporters. In his statement, Virkus acknowledged that the “current results reflect the need for a fresh vision,” and said he would remain in a consulting role to aid the club’s transition. He added, “I am proud of what we achieved together, but football is a business that must evolve.”

The club’s president, Karl Bauer, expressed his gratitude and confirmed that the board would start a search for a new sporting director immediately. He hinted at a preference for a candidate with “a strong scouting background and a modern approach to analytics.” The article quotes Bauer saying, “Our club thrives when the front office and the board share a long‑term strategy.”

4. Reactions from Players, Staff, and Fans

The AP piece reports reactions from key figures. Midfielder Noah Schmidt praised Virkus’s mentorship, saying, “He’s the glue that held our squad together.” Veteran defender Rayan Aït‑Hamou, who has played for the club since 2016, spoke about the culture of trust Virkus fostered, calling it “the cornerstone of our success.” A fan group, “Gladbach United,” expressed disappointment but also support for the club’s future direction. A social‑media post from the group highlights the club’s need for “balance, stability, and a clear footballing philosophy.”

5. The Role of a Sporting Director in German Football

A third link in the article points to a deeper dive into the role of a sporting director in the Bundesliga: “The Power Behind the Scenes: What Does a Sporting Director Do?” The AP piece explains that a sporting director typically oversees player recruitment, contract negotiations, the academy, and sometimes youth‑team strategies. In German clubs, the role is highly strategic: it involves aligning the head coach’s tactical philosophy with the talent pipeline. The article cites former sporting director Oliver Neumann of VfB Stuttgart, who said, “The sporting director’s job is to translate a club’s vision into actionable talent strategies.”

6. Looking Ahead

The AP story concludes by outlining potential candidates who may step into the role. Among them is former Borussia Dortmund sporting director, Markus Schmidt, known for his data‑driven approach, and an up‑and‑coming director from the German Football Association, who has a reputation for youth development. The club’s board, the article notes, will conduct a thorough evaluation that includes interviews with candidates, an assessment of their past transfer successes, and a review of how they would handle Mönchengladbach’s financial constraints.

In sum, the AP article provides a comprehensive overview of Jürgen Virkus’s tenure, the reasons behind his resignation, and the broader context of his role within the club and German football. The linked stories offer deeper statistical analysis of the club’s performance and an exploration of the responsibilities of a sporting director, giving readers a nuanced view of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Borussia Mönchengladbach.