From RB Leipzig's Lengthy Hunt for a Coach, Ole Werner Steps Up to the Plate
Leipzig secure new RB coach: Werner takes the helm - Leipzig appoints Werner as their new coach.
Hold onto your seats, Saxony, 'cause RB Leipzig has finally nabbed a new coach to steer their sporting resurgence! Ole Werner, the ex-Bremen coach, has deemed it fitting to guide Leipzig back into the international spotlight and compete for national titles.
Roll the tape, Werner said, with a grin, "I'm totally stoked to be the new chief at RB Leipzig. The talks we had made it abundantly clear that we're on the same wavelength when it comes to playing style and work ethic." Leipzig's sporting director, Marcel Schäfer, chimed in, "Can't wait to get started with Coach Werner. We're gonna hit the ground running, aiming to put Leipzig back on the path to success."
Two years of commitment, until 2027
The 37-year-old Werner, whose coaching career started at Holstein Kiel, signed a two-year contract with RB Leipzig. After some tough negotiations with Werder Bremen's brass, a deal was at last struck. Schäfer and his counterpart, Clemens Fritz, reached a breakthrough in those never-ending negotiations just a few days prior.
Werner had previously hinted he wouldn't renew his contract after the season's end; it would've been valid until June 2023. However, Werder agreed, and they gave Werner his freedom on the spot.
Werner faces a mountain of challenges in Leipzig. The club parted ways with Marco Rose back in March, with Zsolt Löw stepping in as the interim coach. Löw was just a temporary fill-in, as it was clear he'd return to his role as global football chief under RB's Jürgen Klopp once his stint ended.
Contenders Galore: From Fabregas to Glasner, and Wagner to Ancelotti
Klopp had his work cut out for him in his first six months with the new gig. Significantly less effort was needed to convince Werner, though. Yet, he wasn't the only name Enzo had on his list. Cesc Fabregas (Como), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Roger Schmidt (most recently Benfica Lisbon), and Sandro Wagner (now with FC Augsburg) were also rumored to be in the running.
Davide Ancelotti, son and co-trainer of Carlo Ancelotti (now Brazil's national coach), was even said to be one of the hopefuls. Despite the list of contenders, the Dane Jacob Neestrup from FC Copenhagen was eventually crossed off the list when his club declined to let him go early.
Schäfer announced immediately after the season ended that they wanted a fresh start, accompanied by a thorough personnel reorganization. A seventh-place finish was not enough, and the RB philosophy seemed to have vanished. It will also be fascinating to see the future of the Leipzig roster, as there are still quite a few players with a long, long connection with the club.
Leipzig, Ole Werner, RB Leipzig, Bundesliga, Marcel Schäfer, Saxony, Jürgen Klopp, Cesc Fabregas, Oliver Glasner, Sports, Holstein Kiel.
After securing the new coach, Ole Werner, RB Leipzig fans might also be interested in cheering for their favorite team during a game of football, such as a match in the Bundesliga. In his previous coaching career at Holstein Kiel, Werner showcased a strong work ethic, a characteristic that aligns with the RB philosophy.
