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Max Eberl (archive picture from 2016)
Photo: imago sport photo service / imago/Jan Huebner
Max Eberl is leaving the Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach as sports director for health reasons.
The club and the 48-year-old, who has held the post since 2008, announced this at a press conference in Borussia Park.
Several media had already reported on Thursday.
»It's not hurt pride, not frustration, not nothing.
The person Max Eberl is exhausted and tired," said Eberl through tears, who has been with the club since 1999 and has been sports director since 2008: "I no longer have the strength to do this job the way the club needs it."
“The club tried everything to convince me.
He opened all the doors for me, gave me every opportunity to find time and peace," said Eberl: "But I have to draw a line.
I need to get out.
I have to take care of people.
It is the highest responsibility I have to take care of my health." In view of the sporting crisis, he could "understand the people who say how can he walk now.
But it's not about football, it's about me."
Criticism of speculation about his person
At the same time, he was "a very good example of what's happening in the world," said Eberl, referring to the rumors that had circulated since the previous evening: "What's going to be done in 24 hours, what's being said and speculated, that's it what makes me sick," said Eberl: "I'm finishing something that gave me a lot of joy and fun, because football is my life, my joy.
Many things around it are no longer my joy and my fun.«
Eberl joined Borussia as a professional in January 1999, took over the post of sports director in October 2008 and led Gladbach to the Champions League three times.
Eberl was the longest-serving manager in the Bundesliga after Michael Zorc (Borussia Dortmund) and Rudi Völler (Bayer Leverkusen).
ngo/dpa
