Borussia Mönchengladbach Fire Trainer Jos Luhukay

It appeared inevitable and now it’s been confirmed as Borussia Möchengladbach fired trainer Jos Luhukay today in their wake of their defeat to Köln (and their fourth straight). After seven games, six of which they’ve lost, Gladbach sit at the bottom of the table with only three points. The team was perhaps too ambitious in seeking not only to avoid relegation but to secure a mid-table position this year. Unfortunately their leaky defense has allowed 15 goals (second only to Bremen, who doesn’t play defense) and their offensive fared little better ranking third worst behind fellow relegation-battlers Cottbus and Frankfurt.

“The club’s management and leadership discussed the situation at length last night and today. We came to the conclusion that we’re going to continue without Jos Luhukay,” according to President Rolf Königs. “Jos Luhukay is the trainer who got us promoted and for that we thank and respect him. We value him personally and professionally, but despite this the current sporting situation necessitated a separation.”

“We’re looking starting now for a new trainer, who’ll fit with the club and the team, but we’re going to do this calmly and carefully. There won’t be a hasty decision made, so I’ve agreed to train the team for the time being,” according to former player and current director of football, Christian Ziege. From June 2006 until taking his current director of football role in March 2007 Ziege led Gladbach’s U-17 juniors. This, however, is his first time in charge of first-team players.

Was this the wrong move and shoud Luhukay been given more time? Is Ziege the man for the job full-time? If not, who should Gladbach’s management turn to in order to reverse their dismal season?