The atmosphere around Borussia Mönchengladbach has taken a dramatic turn — and it’s all thanks to a brutally honest outburst from club legend Wolfgang “Otto” Kleff. In an explosive interview with BILD Sport, the former goalkeeper, who remains a cult hero among Gladbach supporters, unleashed a no-holds-barred critique of the club’s management, coaching, and squad. His words cut deep, reflecting the frustration of many fans who feel that their beloved Borussia has lost its way.
Kleff didn’t mince words when addressing what he called the “hausgemachten Probleme” — the homegrown problems within the club’s structure. He accused the management, led by Roland Virkus, of a disastrous transfer policy that has drained millions without delivering real quality. “When I look at the transfer strategy of recent years,” Kleff said, “it’s clear that too much money has gone to players who belong in the 2nd or 3rd division.” He singled out moves like Tomas Cvancara and Jonas Omlin, criticizing the spending of around 20 million euros on what he described as “uninspired and wasteful” transfers. His frustration was palpable — a reflection of a club once proud of its smart scouting and player development now seemingly adrift.
But Kleff didn’t stop at the front office. His comments about Gerardo Seoane, the recently dismissed coach, were scathing. “Seoane never fit in at the Niederrhein,” Kleff declared. “He couldn’t inspire the people. No emotion, no fire — and that’s fatal for a club like Gladbach.” The former keeper lamented how the Swiss coach’s approach drained the team of passion, something fans used to associate with the Foals’ famous fighting spirit. He also slammed the timing of the coaching change, arguing that the new man — Eugen Polanski — should have been given control from the start of the season. “You have to give the new coach the preseason and let him shape the squad. Doing it now is chaos,” Kleff insisted.
His words hit like thunder across social media, igniting fierce debate among supporters. Some praised Kleff for “saying what everyone is thinking,” while others warned that such harsh public criticism could further destabilize a fragile team. Still, his assessment of the squad’s attitude struck a chord: “You don’t have to be the fastest or strongest in football — but you have to think fast. Too many of our players just stand around waiting for something to happen. That’s not Borussia.”
Despite the firestorm, Kleff ended with a note of hope — and a clear endorsement of Eugen Polanski. “Let the man do his job,” he urged. “He’s honest, passionate, and communicates with the people. Exactly the opposite of the sleeping pill we had before.”
For a club steeped in tradition and emotion, Kleff’s words are more than just criticism — they’re a wake-up call. Borussia Mönchengladbach stands at a crossroads, torn between its glorious past and a troubled present. And if the legend’s warning goes unheeded, his final prediction may come true: a fight against relegation unlike any the club has seen in years. ⚽
