Roland Virkus made no secret of his frustration. The sporting director of Borussia Mönchengladbach said on Wednesday that he had presented Jonas Hofmann with an offer that “fulfilled all the conditions he had set himself.” “
National player Bayer Leverkusen joins for ten million euros, which is more than just annoying for Virkus’ Gladbacher. After all, Hofmann, who has been with the club for more than seven years, should remain a constant in the middle of the already great upheaval and will probably also become the new captain. But now he is unexpectedly drawn to the neighbors. “Recently I’ve had a stronger feeling of wanting to do something new,” said the 30-year-old, who is leaving a big hole. Strictly speaking, a crater: In Marcus Thuram (13 goals), Hofmann (12), Lars Stindl (8) and Ramy Bensebaini (6), Borussia lost their top four goalscorers of the past season in one fell swoop. The quartet scored 39 of the 52 goals achieved. The number five on the list, the Swiss Nico Elvedi (3), is also 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,” Virkus had recently announced, which in retrospect sounds an understatement. After all, coach Gerardo Seoane and Nils Schmadtke are completely new to the club as sporting director license. 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 possibilities are not the same as before,” the Swiss had said at his presentation and announced: “Part of the Borussia path is working with young players. I’m willing to go this way.” 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 come as Hofmann’s replacement, after all 26. Something still has to happen in the squad, however, 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 has other plans – and also prefers Bayer Leverkusen.
