Patrick Herrmann to retire from playing in the summer
Patrick Herrmann will retire from playing in the summer after 16 years at Borussia, including 15 as a member of the first team. The 33-year-old will remain at Gladbach in a non-playing capacity.
Farke ahead of #BMGBVB: “We need to consistently put in good performances”
During the press conference ahead of the Bundesliga home game against Borussia Dortmund (Friday, 20:30 CET), head coach Daniel Farke and sporting director Roland Virkus answered questions from the media. We have summarised their answers:
Head coach Daniel Farke on:
...not repeating the slow start from the game against Bochum: It’s definitely been the case that the way we have started games has been very up and down in recently. It's definitely something that we need to work on. We must not be complacent; rather we need to consistently put in good performances. I was in no way satisfied with the way we started against Bochum. The boys are self-critical and were also discontent with their performance. The problem is now recognising that and analysing it. Now the crucial thing is to deliver on a regular basis.
...the squad for Friday’s fixture: Jan Olschowskz will start in goal tomorrow. There is no chance of Tobias Sippel and Yann Sommer returning. Alongside Florian Neuhaus and Hannes Wolf, who have been injured long-term, Alassane Plea will not be available due to a positive COVID-19 test. Patrick Herrmann is still questionable at this current moment in time because he is showing flu-like symptoms currently. Tony Jantschke still has not been able to train with the team up until this point. There is still a question mark surrounding his involvement on Friday evening. We will wait for the final training session to find out.
...a possible return to action for Ko Itakura: Ko has been training with the team the last couple of days. He is fit again and he is in consideration for the matchday squad. He is definitely not a shoe-in for the starting eleven, however; he’s simply been out for too long for that to be the case. I’m sure he will be able to play a good role during the World Cup. It might not be a bad thing for us either as he will then come back with some playing time under his belt.
...his past with Borussia Dortmund: If I’m being honest, I haven’t thought about it much as I simply don’t have enough time to reminisce. I had a great time at BVB, but I’ve got nothing to do with them anymore. For me the one and only thing that matters is that we are confident of putting out a side that will fight to keep the points here at the BORUSSIA-PARK.
...the decision to employ Christoph Kramer in the number 10 role: Chris is no longer the bustling little striker who is endlessly agile. He is not the classic ten, as you might imagine. But what Chris always brings to the table is great running strength. He was a great addition to our attacking line. He is good on the ball, reads the game at a high level and can, for example, be a super leader for our pressing style. It definitely wasn’t his strongest performance in Bochum, but I think that he has played very well in this position before.
...following the World Cup in Qatar: Awarding the World Cup to Qatar is wrong. Perhaps I’m too much of a traditionalist and a football romantic, but for me the World Cup belongs in summer. The World Cup is about having a bratwurst and a cold drink, now it smells more like mulled wine and biscuits. From a sporting point of view, we’re obviously rooting for our boys and hope they have a great World Cup.
Sporting director Roland Virkus on...
...the development of the Foals: We’re in the middle of a process in which we are taking a few steps forward, but then always then taking a few steps backwards as well. We’re simply not stable as a whole unit. But that is also in part down to our injuries. If you have a stable situation with your personnel, then you will deliver more consistent results. We have a good group, but we’re missing a few skill areas that we need to add to our squad. That process doesn’t take half a year but at least multiple transfer windows because we must add the pieces that we need in order to be able to react to different match situations.
...potential personnel changes in the upcoming transfer period: We’re not in a position to be able to just buy, but rather we have to look and act according to what makes sense – both from a sporting, as well as a financial perspective. It’s not our plan to sell players. But I don’t know what’s going to happen during and after the World Cup. Up until January 31st is a long period. We’re following everything and looking at the market and reacting accordingly, if there is something we should do to the squad.
...the call-up of Jonas Hofmann to the World Cup squad, but no place for Julian Weigl: It’s exciting when one of the players from our club is able to play for their country at the World Cup. It shows that you can develop as a player even when the club is going through a difficult period. Jonas has produced fantastic performances for over two years and completely deserves this call-up. Julian Weigl is dealing with the decision like a professional. He is very ambitious and will make a new go of making the EURO 2024 squad. He is perhaps disappointed today, but then he will turn his attention immediately to upcoming game against Dortmund.
...the World Cup in Qatar: There are mixed feelings. On the one hand, we’re all in agreement that awarding the World Cup to Qatar was not the right thing to do. The country represents values that do not align with those at Borussia Mönchengladbach. I will not be travelling there, but despite that, I would like to, on the other hand, of course watch the performances of our players. Therefore, I will be following the games of our lads on the television.
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