Borussia Monchengladbach Appoint Alexander Blessin as Bayern Rout Union Berlin 7-0
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Borussia Monchengladbach have officially appointed Alexander Blessin as head coach on a contract through 2028, the club confirmed, with the former St Pauli manager presented at a press conference on 23 September. Blessin replaces Eugen Polanski, who was sacked after a 5-0 defeat at Freiburg on matchday three, and takes over having been released by St Pauli in June following their relegation from the Bundesliga.
Harry Kane said his contract extension talks with Bayern Munich are close to a conclusion, telling reporters "we are close... I think it won't take much longer until there is an announcement." Chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said the two sides remain "in good conversations" and expects the process to wrap up after the international break, with reports indicating the main sticking point is contract length — Bayern want an agreement to 2029, while Kane is said to prefer running to 2030 with the next World Cup in mind — alongside a possible new exit clause.
Bayern thrashed Union Berlin 7-0 on 18 September, with Michael Olise, last season's Bundesliga Player of the Season, reported by Bundesliga.com to be playing at an even higher level so far this campaign.
Elsewhere on matchday four, Borussia Dortmund beat VfB Stuttgart 1-0 and Bayer Leverkusen beat RB Leipzig 2-0, while Eintracht Frankfurt drew 2-2 with Freiburg, Hamburger SV beat Koln 2-1 and Werder Bremen won 3-2 against Augsburg.
Transfer and squad notes
Monchengladbach's coaching change follows a heavy 3-4 defeat to Mainz around the same period, adding further pressure on the club to stabilise results quickly under Blessin.
What it means for the league
Gladbach's appointment of Blessin gives the club a Bundesliga-experienced coach tasked with an immediate rescue job after one of the worst starts in the club's history. Bayern's form, including the rout of Union Berlin and Olise's continued improvement, keeps them well clear at the top of the early table, while resolving Kane's contract situation would remove one of the club's few off-field uncertainties heading into the rest of the season.