Eugen Polanski
Eugen Polanski is a Polish professional football manager and former player who played mainly as a defensive midfielder. He currently serves as the head coach of club Borussia Mönchengladbach.
He amassed Bundesliga totals of 254 matches and 14 goals over 12 seasons, in representation of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Mainz 05 and Hoffenheim. He also competed in the Spanish La Liga, with Getafe.
A former youth international for Germany, Polanski represented Poland at senior level, and featured for them at the UEFA Euro 2012.
Club career
Born in Sosnowiec, Poland, Polanski moved to Germany as an infant, joining Borussia Mönchengladbach's youth ranks at the age of eight. In the 2004–05 season, on 12 February 2005, he made his debut both in the first team and the Bundesliga, in a 2–0 away loss against Werder Bremen that was his sole appearance of the season.Polanski scored his first goal as a professional in a 1–1 home draw against Bayer Leverkusen on 19 November 2005, and went on to be relatively played the following years. In the 2007–08 season, however, as the campaign ended in promotion, he only featured in nine second division matches.
After his contract at Borussia expired in June 2008, Polanski agreed a move to La Liga with Getafe. During his first and only season, as the Madrid side finished just one place above the relegation zone, he was first choice, often partnering Javier Casquero in central midfield.
On 12 June 2009, Polanski was loaned out to Mainz 05 on a season-long spell. However, the following month, the deal was extended for another year, with the clubs reaching an agreement for a permanent switch in early November 2010.
On 25 January 2013, Polanski joined fellow top division team 1899 Hoffenheim, penning a deal until June 2015.
International career
Polanski appeared for Germany at various youth levels, often as captain. He was a key member of the under-21s at the 2006 UEFA European Championship, scoring a magnificent long-range goal in the fixture against Serbia and Montenegro; his form made Monaco FC|Monaco] enquire about his services, but Mönchengladbach promptly rejected the offer.In May 2011, Polanski confirmed his intent to play for Poland. On 26 July, he was called up by manager Franciszek Smuda for a friendly with Georgia, making his debut in the game which took place on 10 August.
Polanski was selected as part of the 23-man squad that competed in the finals played on home soil and Ukraine. He appeared in three games during the tournament, in an eventual group stage exit.
Managerial career
Polanski was appointed as a youth coach at Borussia Mönchengladbach in summer 2019. In May 2022, Borussia Mönchengladbach II manager Heiko Vogel left the club and Polanski was appointed as his successor. In January 2024, Polanski extended his contract as Borussia Mönchengladbach II head coach until summer 2026.On 15 September 2025, Borussia Mönchengladbach's first team head coach Gerardo Seoane was sacked, following 10 Bundesliga matches without a win, and Polanski was appointed as manager on a temporary basis. In his first match as manager, the club picked up a 1–1 draw away to Bayer Leverkusen after Haris Tabaković scored Gladbach's first Bundesliga goal of the season – a 93rd minute penalty. He picked up his first Bundesliga win in his sixth match as manager with a 4–0 win over FC St. Pauli. On 18 November, Polanski was appointed on a permanent basis on a deal until June 2028.