Farke separation can keep some players where they are

Under ex-coach Daniel Farke, Friedrich only managed 1238 minutes in his first full season in Gladbach. If you add the playing times of Stefan Lainer (819 minutes) and Hannes Wolf (440), the trio spent a total of 2497 minutes on the field last season – that’s not enough for each individual, especially to meet their own requirements to become.

Friedrich gave free rein to his frustration about being a reservist in an interview in April, he felt “zero point zero trust,” the 27-year-old told “Sport Bild” at the time. And although sports director Roland Virkus recently emphasized that he was planning with Friedrich for the coming season, further cooperation between Farke and Friedrich seemed almost impossible. Now that Farke is no longer active in Gladbach, Friedrich’s thoughts on emigration, which he had already confronted the club with during the winter break, could change again. Especially when the new coach signals that he wants to count on him in the future or Nico Elvedi is looking for a new challenge after eight years at Borussia – which could bring Gladbach a transfer fee in the double-digit million range.

In contrast to Friedrich, who has signed a contract until 2026, Wolf’s working paper expires in 2024. The Austrian has played 69 competitive games so far, but could not fight for a regular place. “I’ve been here for three years now and you can say that it’s been a bit tough – for both sides. Of course you have to think about how to proceed. I now have another year of contract in the summer, if something decent comes up, I will of course sit down with Gladbach, my family and my advisor,” Wolf told Sky Austria last week. He will certainly also exchange views with the new Borussia coach to sound out his chances, although there is a tendency for him to say goodbye.

Lainer was one of the regular players in the closing stages of the season. At right-back, Farke was the only rivalry that could be described as such. His contract also expires next year, but he is currently Borussia’s only right-back behind Scally. If Lainer goes, Gladbach will have to strengthen his position, which in theory could still be temporarily taken over by veteran Tony Jantschke as a back-up. If he stays, he will see his fourth coach at Borussia and see the chance to go neck and neck with Scally again on the right.

“It was a turbulent season for me. For me it was important to play my games in the end, in which I was quite satisfied with my performance,” said Lainer in an interview with our editors after the 3-0 win against Halleschen FC. “I haven’t thought about my future yet, now it’s time for vacation.”

Due to the new circumstances, Lainer should think carefully about how things will continue for him next season – that unites him with Friedrich and Wolf, whose chances of playing could also change again with the change of coach.