Elber departs Mönchengladbach
Saturday, December 3, 2005
Article summary
Giovane Elber's 12-year association with the Bundesliga could be over after parting company with VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Article body
Former FC Bayern München and Olympique Lyonnais striker Giovane Elber has parted company with VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach by mutual consent.
Köppel criticism
The former Brazilian international was fined €10,000 by Mönchengladbach on Thursday after criticising coach Horst Köppel in an interview given to a local newspaper. However, the club have now decided the relationship is untenable and revealed their decision to cancel Elber's contract with immediate effect, following today's 1-0 defeat by 1. FC Nürnberg.
Lasting impression
The 33-year-old is the highest-scoring foreign player in Bundesliga history after spells with FC Bayern München, VfB Stuttgart and now Mönchengladbach, for whom he has made four substitute appearances this term. He missed the start of the season with a broken leg but has been overlooked by Köppel in recent weeks despite being fit, leading to him venting his frustrations to the local media.
