While Eberl cries when he says goodbye, the club boss stuns the Gladbach fans

“It’s not a nice day, a stupid day, a crap day,” said the 80-year-old king to the decision of his best employee in recent decades. Max Eberl worked for the foals for 23 years, for 23 years he gave a lot, if not everything, for the club. 14 years as a sports manager. Now, in one of the club’s most difficult times – at least from a purely sporting point of view – the captain wants to leave the ship with a list.

Gladbach President on Eberl’s exit

While Eberl admitted, crying and visibly upset, that he was “at the end”, his boss sat next to him at the table, little affected by the emotional scene. Then he calmly spoke up. First he talked about Eberl’s career, from player to youth coordinator to sports director.

Finally, he took a position on the request of his sporting manager. “When Max Eberl told us for the first time in October that he wanted to get out, we were shocked. We did everything to keep him, to turn him around,” announced Koenig. Eberl informed the club management that the ideas of the two parties in terms of life and career planning are not congruent. “We respected that, didn’t accept it,” said the Gladbach President.

Gladbach boss Königs: empathy? none

Pretty harsh word considering what Eberl previously revealed. “I have to go out and take care of Max Eberl as a person. Max Eberl is exhausted and tired – I no longer have the strength to do this job the way the club needs it,” he said surprisingly openly. A Bundesliga manager thus revealed the innermost part of his emotional world, which deserves respect.

Immediately afterwards, Königs gave an insight into the contract situation. Eberl only extended his contract by six years in 2020. “We were surprised,” he admitted, adding, “when one door closes, another opens. Max closes the door and we have to do everything we can to open the right door.”

These statements show how brutal the football business is. To speak of “turning around” and closed doors in the face of the fact that a person admits that he is at the end of his tether and wants to resign for health reasons is anything but emphatic.

Dealing with Eberl’s obvious health problems seems somewhat irreverent and shows little empathy. The crown put the following questions about possible transfers of the club to the whole thing. “If transfers are still possible, can you say something about that”, Rainer Bonhof, Vice-President of the Foals, was asked by a journalist. Not even 30 minutes after Max Eberl’s touching statement.

Also read: Comment – Eberl’s tears message not only shows a problem of football, but of all of us

Gladbach fans are appalled

The supporters of Borussia paid tribute to their long-time sports director online. They also criticized the football industry with its high pressure and coercion: come what may, it must go on.

One user summarized the whole event quite well: “The Eberl-PK mercilessly reflects the merciless football business. A person cries and admits that he can no longer do it. And the next question is about potential winter arrivals and successors. ”

Rolf Königs also got headwind on Twitter: “Rolf Königs from BMG also seems lost. Eberl is obviously ill. Statements like “we tried to turn him around”, “we respect the decision, but we don’t accept it” and “we thought he is a stable man” are totally out of place.”

“Ultimately, in all truth. Yes. The football business is sick. And now? Who really cares? With any consequences? The show must go… Always covered with hypocrisy that is second to none! Even with us fans, the wear this construct,” said another fan, referring to the growing alienation of professional football from its supporters.

Another user criticized the way our society treats each other. “We should take a look at Max Eberl and then consider whether we should continue to speculate in the future or make fun of people on the Internet. You can see what that can do at this press conference.” He added: “I hope he recovers”. Many other fans and celebrities also expressed wishes for Eberl’s recovery on social media.