Football Season Guide

Gladbach struggled to find any consistency last season and eventually finished in a disappointing tenth place. A frustrating team that could beat anyone on their day, but too infrequently did that day come around. Coach Adi Hutter stepped down from his role at the end of the last campaign, meaning new boss Daniel Farke becomes the third manager at the helm in the last three years. Farke spent four years at his previous club Norwich so could be the man to bring stability back to the club. There is plenty of work to be done for Farke and his staff but so far they have been quiet in the transfer market. New additions would be welcome but it is more a case of changing the mentality of an already talented bunch. The purchase of defensive midfielder Ko Itakura should allow more creative freedom for the likes of Hofmann, Neuhaus, and Kone, but the Japan international could be preferred in central defence after much success in this position for Schalke last term. The lack of leadership in the side, however, still needs to be addressed. Defensively Gladbach was poor last season and you would expect a new defender to come in, especially with the loss of Matthias Ginter to Freiburg. In attack The Foals have lost their main man Breel Embolo to Monaco, so reinforcements in this area are needed, especially with the form and fitness of Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram not assured.