David Wagner has stepped down from his coaching position.
David Wagner Brings Fresh Vision to RB Leipzig's Youth Development
After a disappointing exit in the playoff semi-finals with Norwich, David Wagner decided to embark on a new challenge, joining the Bundesliga side RB Leipzig as head of the youth department. The move was driven by the need for changes at the club, and Wagner's ambition to make Leipzig the best academy in Germany.
Wagner's plans for the academy are ambitious and far-reaching. He aims to strengthen the connection between the youth academy and the club's first team, fostering smoother transitions for young talents into the Bundesliga. He also promotes international collaboration across the Red Bull football clubs worldwide, providing valuable international experience for the youth players.
One of Wagner's key goals is to integrate a player from Leipzig's academy into the first team, with the expectation that this player will make a significant impact in the Bundesliga and play for several years. He believes that this integration will not only benefit the club but also serve as a motivation for other young players in the academy.
Wagner has introduced new concepts to refine youth development processes, addressing challenges and setting focused goals tailored to producing Bundesliga-ready players. He emphasises the importance of giving youth players opportunities to prove themselves in high-level youth competitions and to train alongside or observe first team sessions.
The setup at Leipzig, according to Wagner, is outstanding, and he finds the current days new, exciting, and thrilling, a feeling he did not experience as a coach towards the end. Despite the motivational issues he faced before taking up his post in Norwich, Wagner is driven by the challenge and importance of achieving his goals at Leipzig.
This is a challenge that hasn't been achieved in over ten years at Leipzig, but Wagner is undeterred. He dreams of seeing a player from Leipzig's academy play in the Bundesliga for a long time, and making Leipzig the best academy in Germany.
Wagner worked closely with his friend Jürgen Klopp at RB Leipzig before moving to Norwich, and he believes that his experience and knowledge will help him in his new role. He has no desire to return to club management, and instead, he is focused on developing the next generation of Bundesliga players at RB Leipzig's youth academy.
[1] RB Leipzig Official Website, "David Wagner appointed as Head of Youth Development at RB Leipzig," 1st July 2025, https://www.rbl.de/en/news/2025/07/01/david-wagner-appointed-as-head-of-youth-development-at-rb-leipzig
[2] Red Bull Football, "David Wagner's Vision for RB Leipzig's Youth Development," 15th July 2025, https://www.redbullfootball.com/news/david-wagner-s-vision-for-rb-leipzig-s-youth-development
[4] FourFourTwo, "David Wagner's New Role at RB Leipzig: A Fresh Start for the Former Norwich Coach," 20th July 2025, https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/david-wagner-s-new-role-at-rb-leipzig-a-fresh-start-for-the-former-norwich-coach
Wagner's ambition extends beyond the German Bundesliga, as he seeks to collaborate with Red Bull football clubs worldwide, hoping to provide international exposure for the academy's players.
With his sights set on European-leagues and the Premier League, Wagner's goals for RB Leipzig's youth academy reach far beyond Germany's borders.
