Third coach, who doesn't survive the season in office: Hans Meyer, the oldest coach of the league (60), surprisingly retired after the game tonight. There were some rumours before, but Meyer always rejected such thoughts, even after the game. Due to his ironic and dry way he always had problems with journalists and some players, while most fans loved him. Meyer came from Enschede to Mönchengladbach, led the club back to Bundesliga and already wanted to retire before this season. The officials and the fans persuaded him to stay and so he extended his last contract for two years until his final retirement. After clashes with media and some players he quitted before. Successor is Ewald Lienen, who was fired at CD Tenerife five weeks ago.
Wasn't Lienen Cologne's coach last season (or at least part of last season)? He did so well there (he said cynically).
Lienen's Career: Player: 333 BL Games, 49 Goals for Bielefeld, Mönchengladbach and Duisburg 171 BL2 Games, 27 Goals for Bielefeld and Duisburg 48 EC Games, 8 Goals for Mönchengladbach, UEFA Cup Winner 1979 Coach: 3 3/4 years MSV Duisburg Ama 1 1/2 years MSV Duisburg 2 years Assistant Coach CD Tenerife 1 3/4 years Hansa Rostock 2 1/2 years 1.FC Cologne 1/2 year CD Tenerife
Not exactly a sterling coaching resume. Don't know when he coached Duisburg, but my guess, based on the timeline, is that he had something to do with its relegation in the 90s. I don't know anything about Tenerife. With Rostock, he probably had one decent season and one wretched season (that was Rostock's pattern for a while). With Cologne, he led an underachieving bunch to the BL, survived the first year in the BL, and was bounced after his team dropped to the bottom of the BL in what would ultimately be a relegation season. My guess is that he comes relatively cheaply, which makes him attractive (plus, his Gladbach playing ties).
i sincerely hope that what i read is also the reality - that Lienen's appearance has brought a rejuvenation to the squad although i'm a fan of Hans Meyer, who brought Gladbach back to the 1. BL, i think that it may prove wise to have hired a new Teamchef p.s. can the god of mischief and injury please leave my beloved Gladbach alone? when do i get to see my favorite bald Dutchman/German up front again, partnered with a cheeky little Ghanaian by the name of Larry?