Borussia Mönchengladbach has appointed Alexander Blessin as its new head coach, tasking the 53-year-old manager with reversing a historically poor start to the Bundesliga season, according to club announcements and widespread media reports.
A Debut in the Rheinland Derby
FC Köln in a Rhine derby scheduled for 15:30 local time (UTC+2) via DAZN. Before that fixture, the newly appointed coach will lead the side in two test matches: an away fixture against Sportfreunde Siegen and a visit to FC St. Pauli’s Millerntor Stadium on October 3.
Defensive Stabilization as the Immediate Priority
The club turned to Blessin to address a porous backline that has leaked 16 goals across four consecutive defeats to open the campaign. Known for organizing disciplined defensive structures during his previous stint with St. Pauli—though ultimately suffering relegation with the Hamburg club in the summer—Blessin inherits a squad searching for answers. His tactical challenge right out of the gate is compounded by international duty: all four of Mönchengladbach’s primary central defenders—Kevin Diks, Jan Leszczynski, Ko Itakura, and Fabio Chiarodia—are away with their respective national teams during the break.
Coaching Continuity and Background
Jan-Moritz Lichte, who managed the team from the touchline during a 4-3 defeat to Mainz 05, will remain on staff as an assistant under Blessin. Prior to his work at St. Pauli, Blessin managed Italian side CFC Genua alongside Belgian clubs KV Ostende and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. His arrival marks the latest attempt by club management to establish stability on the bench following the departure of Marco Rose in 2021, a period that saw Adi Hütter, Daniel Farke, Gerardo Seoane, and Polanski cycle through the role.
What Comes Next for Borussia Mönchengladbach
Blessin is set to be formally introduced to the media on Wednesday, where he will outline his strategy for the squad ahead of the friendlies against Siegen and St. Pauli. The test arrives when the Bundesliga resumes on October 11 against Köln.
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