RB coach Werner is expected to master the upheaval and the new beginning

RB Leipzig's new head coach, Ole Werner, faces a mountain of tasks. After missing out on Champions League qualification, Werner is tasked with leading Leipzig back to Europe. He introduced himself on Wednesday.

Geographically speaking, there's little doubt that Leipzig's new head coach Ole Werner is a classic "Northerner." Born in Preetz, who spent a long time in Bremen and Kiel, Werner fits the stereotypical image in terms of character, but not entirely. "It's not like I just sit at home on the dike, staring at the water and not talking. That would give people the wrong impression of me," Werner admits with a slight grin.

At his introduction as the new RB Leipzig coach at a press conference on Wednesday (July 9, 2025), an open, inquisitive Ole Werner sits at the microphone, whose excitement about the new challenge is immediately apparent. However, several issues await in the trade fair city that could quickly dampen the initial euphoria: a large squad, the missed Champions League qualification, and high expectations could quickly pose major challenges for the former Bremen player.

Ole Werner takes up his new position as head coach today with the clear goal of leading Leipzig back into international competition. The 37-year-old is well-versed in the pressure this places on his shoulders. He himself, quite intrinsically, has high expectations of himself and his team. "The pressure is everywhere; I'm used to it," Werner continued. He sees it as his primary responsibility to "steer the existing quality and personality in a certain direction." In the short term, little should change in RB Leipzig's playing style. In the long term, Werner wants to further develop Leipzig's playing style.

In terms of football, sporting director Marcel Schäfer and the new head coach seem to have a lot in common. "We both have very high ambitions," said Schäfer. These ambitions include continuing to play active, courageous football and, in particular, maintaining a possession-based approach. According to Werner, this is "not possible without a high level of intensity," which he particularly wants to see in counter-pressing and transitions. In terms of tactical adaptation to the opponent, "occupying space" can also change from time to time. Furthermore, his understanding of possession-based football includes not only denying the ball to the opponent, but also offering few spatial options. This goes hand in hand with high-level attacks and aggressive pressing.

Defensively, the 37-year-old doesn't want to commit to a single formation for the time being. "We want to have a basic formation, but we also want to remain somewhat flexible throughout the season," said Werner. In Bremen, Werner, surprisingly tall at 1.89 meters, was known for his three-man defense. "In Bremen, although we formally played with a back three, we often staggered positions and built up with four." The new RB Leipzig coach continued, "It's important not to be too predictable." "Depending on the space our opponents offer us and how we want to occupy it, we will handle it flexibly. That's what modern football demands."

In addition to sporting director Marcel Schäfer, Red Bull sporting director Jürgen Klopp is also said to be a fan of the new boss. Werner clarified whether decisions always need to be discussed with other managers, setting boundaries early in his tenure. "I share a lot with Marcel and other managers before a game, but I was brought in to do things the way I see them," Werner said. He is willing to incorporate the ideas of others into his decisions, but he still wants to "stay true to himself" and take responsibility for the task assigned to him.

Schäfer expects sporting success this season and, in addition to a fundamental overhaul, also hopes for a "fresh start" at RB Leipzig. Apart from Yussuf Poulsen's negotiations with Hamburger SV , which Schäfer confirmed, the sporting director made few concrete statements regarding squad planning and which players will be involved in the overhaul.

With the return of all loan players, the Bundesliga club's squad now boasts over 30 players. The Saxon squad is expected to be reduced to 26 players by the end of the transfer window. Regarding Ole Werner, Schäfer said, "We've discussed the squad extensively and want to strengthen ourselves so we can play a different kind of football again." The long-awaited long-term transformation will take time, but the Leipzig sporting director added, "we want to compete for European spots next year so that we'll be back on the international stage in 2026."

The decision on the goalkeeper position hasn't been made yet either. With Peter Gulacsi and Maarten Vandevoort, the head coach has two goalkeepers with excellent performances in his ranks. "I want to have the chance to get to know everyone personally. So far, I've only known the players from video analysis." That will change when training starts.

The official start of training will take place next Monday, July 14. The first friendly match is scheduled for five days later against regional league side ZFC Meuselwitz. Werner will then make his competitive debut in mid-August in the first round of the DFB Cup against third-division relegated side SV Sandhausen.

SpiO / twe