Köppel to leave Mönchengladbach

Mutual consent
After a 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday sealed a top-ten finish in the Bundesliga, sporting director Peter Pander and Köppel met yesterday to review the campaign. Following the meeting, Pander revealed that the club and coach had agreed to go their separate ways. The 57-year-old had been in his post since 19 April 2005 and had a contract until summer 2007.

Shattered hopes
A successful first half of the season had left Mönchengladbach on the verge of a European spot before those hopes were dashed after the new year. "The club has to go in a new direction," Pander said. “We have not had any contact with other coaches. We will take our time and there will be no short-term solution."