keller
15 Dec 2004, 04:21 PM
Having lived outside Gladbach for a few years in the late 70's and seeing all the success they had over that period (the celebrations on the streets of Wickrath after the U.E.F.A. cup win were unbelievable!), it really saddens me to see them now, as they seem to be just a bit part player in the league, constantly yo-yoing between divisions.
Surely the massive support that Gladbach have, deserve better than a relegation battle nearly every season.I know no-one has a right to be always fighting for the title because of past glories, but it breaks my heart to see them as they are now.
Anyone have any views on the current situation at Gladbach?
Catfish
15 Dec 2004, 08:56 PM
I have thought that too. Isn't/Wasn't Gladbach one of THE most famous clubs in Germany???? What happened.......just sad.
96Squig
16 Dec 2004, 11:41 AM
I have thought that too. Isn't/Wasn't Gladbach one of THE most famous clubs in Germany???? What happened.......just sad.
No, Even at their best times they were only as popular as Bayern. Today they are far behind Bayern, Schalke and Dortmund...
wolfsburgh
16 Dec 2004, 01:11 PM
Well, first of all, Gladbach are not yo-yoing. After being promoted in 1965 or 1966, they had an uninterrupted run in the 2.BL until 1999, when they were relegated. They spent two years in the 2.BL, and this is their 4th year back in the 1.BL. This is not yo-yoing. Bielefed yo-yos; Nuremberg yo-yos; Bochum yo-yos; etc. Gladbach does not (at least not yet).
Second, they were, in fact, ONE of the most famous teams in Germany. In the 1970s, they and Bayern dominated German soccer and were major players in European competition. I would suggest that they were more popular than Bayern at that time (impossible to quantify, of course, but Gladbach played more attractive soccer and did so with less arrogance than did Bayern). Overall, only Bayern has won more BL titles than Gladbach. With the stupid stars on the jerseys these days, one can measure Gladbach's success--I believe they are the only club with two stars (Bayern, of course, has three or four or a million).
Third, I still think they are one of the most popular teams in Germany. Just take a look at their attendance figures in a soccer-saturated area. On another thread, some German posters said that Gladbach was still very popular, and fell behind only Bayer, Dortmund, and Schalke in popularity.
Fourth, to answer your question as to what happened, I personally think it just boiled down to mismanagement, which led to financial problems, which led to increasingly poorer performances, which ultimately led to relegation. Unlike Bayern, which seized on their success in the 70s, Gladbach rested on it (how much of that had to do with the fact that Bayern was gifted a new stadium in connection with the 1972 Olympics which had double the capacity of Gladbach's creaking Boekelberg, I don't know) However, the club is on very firm financial footing these days, and is one of only a handul of clubs to have been granted their professional license the last couple seasons without restrictions. They opened up a fantastic new stadium this season, as well. That being said, this year has been a disappointment. The last three have seen Gladbach survive, and nothing more than that. But this season, it was largely believed that Gladbach was in a position to consolidate its position in the 1.BL and perhaps even sniff at a spot in Europe if everything broke their way. Unfortunately, things have gone poorly and once again survival is the only realistic goal for the season. They have hired a big named coach in Dick Advocaat, and have pledged him some money for this January's transfer market. That may help address some of the problems they have on the field (a very suspect defense, lack of punch from the midfield, young players struggling under the weight of expectations, and no legitimate, back-to-the goal, center forward type around whom the attack can flow), but personally, I think this team lacks heart and passion as a whole. They'll do enough to stay up, but I think they will continue to be an afterthought in the 1.BL for the foreseeable future.