Eugen Polanski
Birth nameBogusław Eugeniusz Polański
Birth date17 March 1986 (age 40)[1]
Birth placeSosnowiec, Poland
Height1.83 m[1]
PositionDefensive midfielder
CurrentclubBorussia Mönchengladbach (head coach)
Youthclubs 1Concordia Viersen
Youthyears 21994–2004
Youthclubs 2Borussia Mönchengladbach
Years 12004–2008
Clubs 1Borussia Mönchengladbach
Caps 153
Goals 11
Years 22008–2010
Clubs 2Getafe
Caps 226
Goals 20
Years 32009–2010
Clubs 3→ Mainz 05 (loan)
Caps 321
Goals 31
Years 42010–2013
Clubs 4Mainz 05
Caps 466
Goals 43
Years 52011
Clubs 5Mainz 05 II
Caps 51
Goals 50
Years 62013–2018
Clubs 61899 Hoffenheim
Caps 6123
Goals 69
Totalcaps290
Totalgoals14
Nationalyears 12005–2008
Nationalteam 1Germany U21
Nationalcaps 119
Nationalgoals 11
Nationalyears 22011–2014
Nationalteam 2Poland
Nationalcaps 218
Nationalgoals 20
Manageryears 12022–2025
Managerclubs 1Borussia Mönchengladbach II
Manageryears 22025–
Managerclubs 2Borussia Mönchengladbach

Eugen Polanski (ˈɔjɡɛn pɔˈlanskʲi;[2][a] born Bogusław Eugeniusz Polański[3][b] on 17 March 1986) 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.[4] 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.[5]

On 12 June 2009, Polanski was loaned out to Mainz 05 on a season-long spell.[6] However, the following month, the deal was extended for another year,[7] with the clubs reaching an agreement for a permanent switch in early November 2010.[8]

On 25 January 2013, Polanski joined fellow top division team 1899 Hoffenheim, penning a deal until June 2015.[9]

International career

Polanski appeared for Germany at various youth levels, often as captain.[10] 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;[11] his form made 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.[12]

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.[13][14][15]

Managerial career

Polanski was appointed as a youth coach at Borussia Mönchengladbach in summer 2019.[16] In May 2022, Borussia Mönchengladbach II manager Heiko Vogel left the club and Polanski was appointed as his successor.[17] In January 2024, Polanski extended his contract as Borussia Mönchengladbach II head coach until summer 2026.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20] He picked up his first Bundesliga win in his sixth match as manager with a 4–0 win over FC St. Pauli.[21] On 18 November, Polanski was appointed on a permanent basis on a deal until June 2028.[22]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[23][24]
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cup[c]ContinentalOtherTotal
LeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Borussia Mönchengladbach2004–05Bundesliga1000——10
2005–06Bundesliga21110——221
2006–07Bundesliga22000——220
2007–082. Bundesliga9000——90
Total531100000541
Getafe2008–09La Liga26020——280
Mainz 05 (loan)2009–10Bundesliga21100——211
Mainz 052010–11Bundesliga28010——290
2011–12Bundesliga263002[d]0—283
2012–13Bundesliga12010——130
Total663202000703
Mainz 05 II2011–12Regionalliga West10———10
1899 Hoffenheim2012–13Bundesliga11000—2[e]0130
2013–14Bundesliga32340——363
2014–15Bundesliga30531——336
2015–16Bundesliga27110——281
2016–17Bundesliga14000——140
2017–18Bundesliga90104[d]0—140
Total123991402013810
Career total29014141602031215
  1. ^ ˈɔʏɡeːn poˈlanski, ˈɔʏɡn̩ -.
  2. ^ bɔˈɡuswaf ɛwˈɡɛɲuʂ pɔˈlaj̃skʲi, boˈɡʊsu̯af ʔɛʊˈɡɛni̯ʊʃ poˈlanski.
  3. ^ Includes DFB-Pokal, Copa del Rey
  4. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearances in relegation play-offs

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[25]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Poland
201130
2012120
201320
201410
Total180

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamFromToRecord
GWDLGFGAGDWin %
Borussia Mönchengladbach II1 July 202215 September 2025
Borussia Mönchengladbach15 September 2025Present
Total

References

  1. ^ "Polanski (Eugen)" (in German). Kicker. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  2. ^ Eugen Polanski: jestem Polanski bez 'ń' ale możecie mówić Polański (in Polish). YouTube. 11 August 2011. Archived 14 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  3. ^ "Bogusław Eugeniusz Polański przez Sosnowiec do kadry Smudy" [Bogusław Eugeniusz Polański to Smudy's squad from Sosnowiec] (in Polish). Katowice Gazeta. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  4. ^ "El Getafe ficha a una promesa alemana" [Getafe sign German prospect] (in Spanish). Merca Fútbol. 4 July 2008. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Polanski: "Casquero es la pareja perfecta en el centro del campo"" [Polanski: "Casquero is the perfect midfield partner"] (in Spanish). Marca. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Polanski: Einigung mit Getafe erzielt" [Polanski: Agreement with Getafe reached] (in German). Kicker. 12 June 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  7. ^ "Polanski bleibt bis 2011" [Polanski stays until 2011] (in German). Kicker. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
  8. ^ "Polanski to stay with Mainz". ESPN Soccernet. 7 November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  9. ^ "Polanski makes Hoffenheim move". Bundesliga. 25 February 2013. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Pflichtaufgabe für U-21-Team" [Do or die for U-21 team] (in German). Spox. 20 November 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  11. ^ Ashby, Kevin (23 May 2006). "Polanski gets Germany going". UEFA. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  12. ^ "Polska pokonała Gruzję, debiut Polańskiego" [Poland defeat Georgia, Polanski makes debut] (in Polish). Wirtualna Polska. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  13. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (8 June 2012). "Poland and Greece both had a man sent off as an eventful opening match of Euro 2012 ended in a draw.". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  14. ^ Smith, Ben (12 June 2012). "Poland produced a stirring performance in Warsaw to hold Russia to a draw and strengthen their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  15. ^ Smith, Ben (16 June 2012). "Petr Jiracek scored the only goal of a scrappy game in Wroclaw to break Polish hearts and send Czech Republic into the quarter-finals as winners of Group A.". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Addo-Nachfolger: Polanski kehrt nach Gladbach zurück" (in German). sport.de. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  17. ^ Gobrecht, Hannah (2022-05-18). "Nachfolger steht fest: Borussia trennt sich von U23-Trainer Vogel" (in German). RP ONLINE. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  18. ^ "Klarheit bei Polanski: Mönchengladbachs U-23-Trainer verlängert" (in de-DE). kicker. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  19. ^ "Gladbach sack manager Seoane after goalless start to season". Reuters. 15 September 2025. Retrieved November 2, 2025.
  20. ^ Brassell, Andy (2025-09-22). "Gladbach’s late rally could earn Polanski chance to launch their season". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  21. ^ "Rouven Schröder spricht über Zukunft von Eugen Polanski" (in German). Sky Sport. 1 November 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
  22. ^ "Eugen Polanski appointed Borussia head coach". Borussia Mönchengladbach. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  23. ^ "E. Polanski". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  24. ^ "Eugen Polanski » Club matches". Worldfootball. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  25. ^