Fresh Take: Ole Werner Steps Closer to RB Leipzig Manager Position Amid Severe Bundesliga Competition
Persistent Discussions ongoing: Werner continues to be a prime training contender in Leipzig
The hunt for a new manager at RB Leipzig is heating up, with Ole Werner emerging as the leading contender.
The Bundesliga side's leadership and Ole Werner have been engaging in intense negotiations. However, no agreement has been reached, as per recent reports by dpa. The former coach of Werder Bremen is tipped to guide Leipzig back to their former glory, after a disappointing season that saw them miss out on European competition for the first time. With a proposed start date of July 14, a deal could be in the cards.
Werner has been at the helm of Bremen since 2021, and despite having a contract that runs until 2026, he expressed his intention not to renew it earlier this year. The following day, Werder Bremen announced their separation from the 37-year-old coach. Leipzig's management has not yet initiated discussions regarding a potentially costly buyout from Werder. For now, securing an agreement with Werner is the primary focus.
Werner Facing Stiff Competition
With a shaky season culminating in a seventh-place finish (their first without a European starting spot in Bundesliga history), Leipzig aims to return to their signature style. After parting ways with coach Marco Rose in March, interim coach Zsolt Löw struggled to regain control of the team.
Aside from Werner, other potential candidates for the managerial role include:
- Cesc Fàbregas: The Spanish football legend has been coaching Como, but his experience in management is limited.
- Oliver Glasner: Glasner is currently with Crystal Palace, but his team has had a difficult run this season, making him a questionable choice.
- Roger Schmidt: Former Benfica Lisbon coach Schmidt is currently without a job, but his track record indicates he could be a solid candidate.
- Danny Röhl: Known for his past roles at RB Leipzig, Röhl is currently the coach of Sheffield Wednesday and has garnered attention from other elite clubs like Southampton, Leicester City, and Crystal Palace.
- Alexander Blessin: Having led Union SG to a second-place finish in the Belgian league and securing St. Pauli's Bundesliga survival, Blessin has shown potential but has ties to RB Leipzig dating back to his time as a youth coach.
- Matthias Jaissle: Coach of Al-Ahli, Jaissle is another potential candidate in the mix.
- Thomas Frank: Known for his work with Brentford, Frank is yet another option being considered by Leipzig's management.
This array of potential candidates presents a mix of experience and coaching styles that RB Leipzig is weighing to fill the open manager role. It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious in this competitive race.
Ole Werner's potential move to RB Leipzig could see him steer a European-leagues bound football team, following his departure from Werder Bremen. Amidst stiff competition, other candidates like Cesc Fàbregas, Oliver Glasner, Roger Schmidt, Danny Röhl, Alexander Blessin, Matthias Jaissle, and Thomas Frank are also being considered for the managerial role in the Bundesliga club.
