Eugen Polanski speaks on exciting new Borussia Mönchengladbach prospect, receives Rocco Reitz’s endorsement for permanent appointment | OneFootball

After 108 matches in charge of the Borussia Mönchengladbach reserves, interim trainer Eugen Polanski prepares for his second game coaching the BMG senior team this weekend. Polanksi’s Fohlenelf face a stern test against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Saturday evening Bundesliga “Top Spiel”.

Polanski, rather famously by now, opted to throw one of his BMG II players immediately into the fray last weekend. Midfielder Charles Herrmann (19) came on in the 86th-minute to make his Bundesliga debut.

Polanski immediately conferred a serious responsibility upon the teenager. Herrmann was instructed to take team corners. As it turned out, Herrmann earned the assist on Haris Tabakovic’s late equalizer as a result.

A 1-1 draw against Bayer 04 Leverkusen counted as a successful debut for Polanski, who could end up taking over the Gladbach head coaching job permanently. Asked about Herrmann’s deployment at the post match press conference, Polanski noted that:

“Charles has taken enough corners in his life and I trusted him to do so in the Bundesliga.”

Polanski confirmed that 21-year-old striker Jan Urbich is training with the pros. The Wiesbaden-native moved to Gladbach this past summer from Kickers Offenbach and has already scored 11 goals in 9 appearances thus far this year for BMG II in the Regionalliga West.

Polanski may have his own internal solution for the missing Tim Kleindienst.

“He [Urbich] doesn’t worry about whether he’s playing in front of 500 spectators or 50,000,” Polanski remarked on Thursday. “This carefree attitude makes him strong.”

Another one of Polanski’s former protégés has already given the 39-year-old a strong endorsement for a permanent appointment. Gladbach midfielder Rocco Reitz – currently donning the captain’s armband in Kleindienst’s absence – improved markedly under Polanski last weekend.

Reitz delivered an awful performance in Gerardo Seoane’s final match, but appears to be back on track under his former mentor. In an interview with SkyTV,

“Eugen helped me a lot in the past,” Reitz – as quoted by transfermarkt.de – told SkyTV. “I can remember the time under Marco Rose when Eugen talked a lot with the young players. He always had an open ear and was always there for you. He was a pillar of support for those young and just starting out as professionals. I get on very well with Eugen.

“There’s a different spirit, because of course everyone wants to prove themselves,” Reitz continued. “The cards are being reshuffled. Eugen has done very well, approaching the players as people first. He has tried to bring a new spirit to the team and make them forget the last few years. He has restored some of the competitiveness and everyone is properly motivated.“

“I could definitely live with that,” Reitz answered without hesitation when it came to the question of Polanski’s permanent appointment. “The work he has done so far has been excellent and the team is also responding well to it. I think no matter who you ask, everyone would give the same answer.”

GGFN | Peter Weis