Eberl steps down as Gladbach sporting director

A former right-back, Eberl laced his boots for Bayern Munich, Bochum, Greuther Fürth and Gladbach during his playing days in the 1990s and early 2000s, earning 12 caps for Germany's U21 side. After retiring from active duty, he moved behind the scenes and became Gladbach's sporting director in 2008, a position he held until January 2022.

"This is probably by far the most difficult press conference I've ever been involved in during the time I've been Borussia's sporting director," the 48-year-old said at a media briefing to announce the decision on Friday.

"I'm drained and tired and no longer have the strength to carry out the job in the way the club deserves. After 23 years, I'm ending something that has been my life. I've always enjoyed and had fun working during this time, but a lot of things that happen in this job aren't enjoyable any more.

"I extended my contract 13 months ago and at the time I would never have thought that I'd be sitting here today. I'm the kind of person who puts 100 per cent into everything he does. I've done that for 13 years as sporting director now. Last year I took some time off but then a lot of things came together. After the transfer window I realised things were going in the wrong direction for me. Now I just want to be Max Eberl.

"I want to see the world and for the first time in my life I'm only thinking about myself. I haven't made this decision to go to another club. For the time being, I don't want anything to do with football."

"Today is a difficult day for us, it's not a good day," said Gladbach president Rolf Königs. "Stephan Schippers and Max Eberl started at Gladbach in 1999 and they've both done a superb job. Max informed us yesterday that he would like to step down as sporting director. We respect that. Obviously we were disappointed, especially as we'd extended his contract at the end of 2020. We'll do everything we can to fill the void in order to achieve our sporting objectives."