Upon joining RB Leipzig, Ole Werner will assume key responsibilities.
After a series of strategic moves, German football club RB Leipzig is set to embark on a new chapter under the leadership of 37-year-old coach Ole Werner. Appointed on a two-year contract until 2027, Werner brings with him a proven track record of success, having led Holstein Kiel to promotion play-offs and guiding Werder Bremen back into the Bundesliga.
Werner's coaching philosophy is centred around structured possession, quick transitions, strong pressing, tactical flexibility, and a committed, combative approach. As he takes the reins at Leipzig, his primary goals for the upcoming season include restoring the club to European competition, implementing a cohesive playing style, developing the team, and achieving stability and success.
One of Werner's first tasks is to secure a return to international competition, a key expectation set by the club's management. Last season, Leipzig finished seventh and missed out on European football. To achieve this goal, the club has already made moves, signing Ezechiel Banzuzi from Belgian club OH Leuven as a replacement, and welcoming back Janis Blaswich from his loan at Salzburg.
Moreover, Werner will be supported by assistants Patrick Kohlmann and Tom Cichon as he works to re-establish Leipzig's standing in both domestic and European football. The trio will begin their tenure on July 1st.
In terms of personnel, the future of some experienced players, such as Willi Orban, Lukas Klostermann, Yussuf Poulsen, and Kevin Kampl, is uncertain. While there are speculations about these players leaving before their contracts expire, the club's sports director, Marcel Schäfer, has emphasised that existing contracts will be respected.
Meanwhile, Xaver Schlager, who missed games due to knee problems and an operation, is expected to return. The club is considering an early extension of Schlager's contract, which runs until summer 2026, after evaluating his development.
However, Benjamin Sesko's future at Leipzig seems to be coming to an end, with a move to Arsenal imminent, dependent on a transfer fee of 70 million euros plus bonus payments. The club is also seeking a replacement for Sesko in attack.
Elsewhere, Timo Werner's future at Leipzig remains a topic of discussion, with rumours suggesting he may join Red Bull New York after his third return to the club. In goal, Peter Gulacsi has bid farewell for the summer break, leaving the future of the starting goalkeeper position open. Maarten Vandevoort is expected to take over.
As Leipzig prepares for a new era, the club aims to herald a new beginning while maintaining a balance in the squad. A test match partner for the training camp in Donaueschingen (July 23rd - 30th) is yet to be determined.
Amidst all these changes, Werner's commitment to focusing on performance rather than age in player retention remains a reassuring constant. He has emphasised that age is not a deciding factor, a stance that aligns with the club's philosophy of valuing and nurturing talent regardless of age.
[1] Source: Spox.com [2] Source: Bild.de [3] Source: Kicker.de
Ole Werner aims to guide RB Leipzig back into European leagues, following his appointment as coach. To achieve this ambition, he plans to focus on developing the team and implementing a cohesive playing style, keeping in mind his coaching philosophy of structured possession, quick transitions, strong pressing, tactical flexibility, and a committed, combative approach.
With a focus on securing talent and maintaining a balance in the squad, Werner is considering the extension of Xaver Schlager's contract and has mentioned that age is not a deciding factor in his player retention strategy, aligning with the club's philosophy of valuing and nurturing talent regardless of age.
