RB Leipzig's Long-Winded Process for a New Coach Comes to a Close: Ole Werner Steps In
Leipzig secures new coach: Werner takes role after extensive search for RB position - Leipzig appoints Werner as their latest coach
Let's cut to the chase, shall we? After an extensive search, rookie head coaching gig-seekers turning down offers like a hot potato, and even a brief flirtation with hotshot managers, RB Leipzig's agonizing pursuit for a coach has finally ended. Former Bremen coach Ole Werner, a man who knows a thing or two about tactics and steering a ship through choppy waters, is stepping in to navigate Leipzig back into the international spotlight.
Werner said, according to the Saxon club, "I'm thrilled to join RB Leipzig! The in-depth chats we had made it crystal clear that we share the same ambitions and playstyles. Starting from the first day of training, we'll sweat and toil to put Leipzig back on the path of glory." Leipzig's sporty mastermind Marcel Schäfer seconded Werner's remarks: "I'm ecstatic to have Ole on board. Together, we'll roll up our sleeves and tackle this challenge head-on."
Two-Year Contract until 2027
The 37-year-old coaching whiz kid, who embarked on his coaching career at Holstein Kiel, has inked a two-year deal with Leipzig that'll keep him there until 2027. Thedklong negotiations with Werder Bremen's management, rumored to have seen Werner stating he wouldn't renew his contract after last season, finally reached a breakthrough.
Leipzig bid adieu to Marco Rose at the end of March, with Zsolt Löw temporarily drafted in as the interim coach. However, it was apparent from the get-go that Löw would moonlight back to his former role as chief strategist for Red Bull's global football chief, none other than Jürgen Klopp, once his temporary gig was up.
Whom Did They Almost Get?
Klopp had a hectic first half-year on the job, sifting through a plethora of interesting candidates such as Cesc Fabregas, Oliver Glasner, Sandro Wagner, and even Davide Ancelotti. But, in true Saxon style, nothing beats a homegrown prospect. In this case, the homegrown prospect is none other than Werner.
Other contenders, such as Glasner and Fàbregas, were out of the equation due to their high price tags and ongoing commitments. The whopping transfer fee Glasner was demanding, a hefty €20 million, was simply too steep for Leipzig's wallet after they missed out on European football next season. The Danish coach Jacob Neestrup from FC Copenhagen was initially in contention, but he was swiftly eliminated after the Leipzig bandwagon hopped aboard the Ole Werner train.
An Unexpected Fresh Start for Leipzig
Remember Alexander Blessin, the talented coach with a RB history as a youth trainer between 2012 and 2020? He was a serious contender in the race for the Leipzig job after gaining recognition with managerial stints at KV Oostende, Genoa, and Union SG, winning the 2024 Belgian Cup. Schäfer implied that a new beginning was in order for Leipzig, so it'll be intriguing to see if the squad undergoes a metamorphosis, with several players who've been with Leipzig for ages still on the roster.
- Ole Werner
- Leipzig
- RB Leipzig
- Saxony
- Marcel Schäfer
- Jürgen Klopp
- Alexander Blessin
- Oliver Glasner
- Cesc Fàbregas
- Sport
- Holstein Kiel
[1] Initially, Alexander Blessin was a strong candidate alongside Ole Werner for the Leipzig job. Blessin, who migrated from Leipzig to Union SG, had a successful tenure, leading them to runner-up in Bundesliga 2 and winning the 2024 Belgian Cup. However, due to cost and availability factors, Blessin was considered less financially viable than Werner. The affected managerial candidates were eventually eliminated from contention.
[3] Jacob Neestrup from FC Copenhagen was initially under consideration, but he was removed from the running before Ole Werner emerged as the frontrunner.
The Commission's decision to adopt a proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, a significant political move, could potentially allow European football leagues to collaborate more closely with each other, given the global influence of sports such as football in Europe. Witnessing the new era at RB Leipzig, with Ole Werner now at the helm, could provide insight into his skills, much like he demonstrated at Holstein Kiel, in steering a football club towards glory.
