Borussia Mönchengladbach head coach Marco Rose explained that the appeal of a new challenge is what led to his decision to join Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

  • Reason for leaving

Gladbach announced on Monday that Rose would be leaving BORUSSIA-PARK at the end of the campaign for the Signal Iduna Park. In a press conference Wednesday morning, Rose told the media why he has decided to move on.

"There was a lot of pressure over the last weeks. In the end, it’s a decision that I made based on a feeling, as taking on a new challenge in Dortmund really appeals to me," Rose told the club's website.

The 44-year-old described how the decision to join the Black & Yellows was not made hastily. He added that it was not an easy call to make because of Mönchengladbach's aspirations.

"I reflected on it a lot and spent a lot of time thinking about it. It was a long process, not something that was decided in two days. I knew what I’d be up against and what to expect now. I had to make a decision to either continue on into my third season with a great club with plenty of ambition, or to take on a new challenge in Dortmund. Believe me, it was by no means an easy decision."

Rose disclosed how the news was broken to his players on Monday. The Foals head coach also reiterated the fact that regardless of his future, his current focus is completely on Mönchengladbach. 

"We first informed the staff on Monday, before telling the team. For me, it was important to let the people in that circle know first, because they’re the ones I deal with the most. It was the hardest part for me. Max [Eberl] started off the discussion and I continued it. The mood was very calm and collected. My relationship with the lads is very transparent and good. Of course there were players who were disappointed or perhaps a little sad, but there are also some who now see the chance for a new start."

He also added that he would not be bringing any of his current players with him to the Signal Iduna Park. He will, however, be reunited with a familiar face at Dortmund, Erling Haaland, as Rose signed the Norwegian striker for Red Bull Salzburg from Molde FK six months before he took over the reins at Mönchengladbach.

  • Eberl announces coaching staff departures and talks about Rose's successor

Sporting director Max Eberl was also in attendance, and he announced some changes to the coaching staff. He also said that Rose's successor would be unveiled after the season has ended, but he would not divulge any names.

He told the club's website: "Assistant coaches Alexander Zickler and René Maric, as well as fitness coach Patrick Eibenberger will join Marco Rose at Borussia Dortmund. We will unveil a new coaching staff over the summer.

"I’m already thinking about which coach could take over as of 1st July, and who could continue to build on what Marco Rose and other past coaches have built at the club. I will go about my job in time, but I definitely won’t be commenting on any names that we have been linked with. As soon as we have made a decision, we will communicate that."

Rose joined the North Rhine-Westphalia club in 2019, and in 20 months he has them competing in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages as they defied the odds and qualified  from a group that consisted of Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Shakhtar Donetsk. The 1st leg of their the round of 16 tie against Manchester City in is set to take place on the 24th of February.