Eberl addresses supporters ahead of Rose's return: "I hope we don't get drawn into a petty war."
The banners will be out in full force at Borussia Park this evening for Marco Rose's return to the club he left last season.
BMG sporting director Max Eberl took the opportunity to address Gladbach's disaffected fan base directly at a Thursday presser.
BMG sporting director Max Eberl took the opportunity to address Gladbach's disaffected fan base directly at a Thursday presser.
When Favre was dismissed after the campaign's 11th matchday, Rose's eventual appointment seemed a forgone conclusion. Gladbach's ultras were certainly cognizant of this fact. In the end, the unconvincing denials of BMG sporting director Max Eberl found little appreciation among the fan-base. The local supporters pushed the issue until Rose publicly confirmed it.
Speaking at a Thursday presser, Eberl tried to appeal for calm ahead of what will surely be an emotion-laden Bundesliga fixture under the Saturday night floodlights. For his own part, Eberl declared himself pleased to see his former colleague once again.
"I understand the need for the fans to voice their displeasure," Eberl noted, "One can do that in a country that allows for free expression. But, we still need our fans behind us. I hope we don't get drawn into this 'petty war'."
In a certain sense, Eberl did deliver the fan-base a high-profile appointment to offset Rose's loss. For what was then a record transfer sum, the 47-year-old lured Adi Hütter away from a club on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions' League to a non-European team facing financial challenges.
Gladbach's new trainer, asked if Rose's return influenced him in any way, understandably chastised a reporter by saying "that makes no sense."
