Exchange with Klopp: "Huge opportunity" for new RB coach

RB Leipzig's new head coach Ole Werner considers the exchange with Red Bull's global head of soccer Jürgen Klopp to be "a huge opportunity". He spoke a lot with Klopp, Werner reported during his introduction at the Saxon Bundesliga club's training ground. "We very quickly agreed on how we want to play soccer here," reported a noticeably cheerful Werner, announcing an active and aggressive style "with an open goal".

"No limits on the top"

After the disappointing past season with the premature departure of coach Marco Rose and missing out on international football for the first time since RB's promotion in 2016, the club, coach and Klopp are under pressure as the Red Bull Group's top soccer supervisor. He has a clear mission, emphasized 37-year-old Werner: "Qualify for international business again and don't limit anything at the top."

What the squad that Werner will work with will look like, however, remains to be seen. Timo Werner, once a celebrated goalscorer and an international in Leipzig, is said to have no future in Leipzig after returning on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. "Everyone knows exactly where they stand," said RB Leipzig's managing director Marcel Schäfer, referring to the players and the club's plans in general.

What will happen to Sesko, Simons and other professionals?

The fact that Benjamin Sesko, in whom Arsenal FC are said to be interested, and Xavi Simons, whom RB would reportedly sell for a transfer fee of 70 million, will be present at the start of training next Monday for the time being pleases them, Schäfer emphasized. However, RB must also raise money if new players are to be brought in. Schäfer also repeatedly pointed out that the club should work well both in sporting and economic terms.

He also assured that Leipzig will start the season with a very good team. RB veteran Yussuf Poulsen could then no longer be part of the team, Schäfer confirmed negotiations with Bundesliga returnees Hamburger SV. But he would not be the only one to leave the club.

A question mark also hangs over other long-standing key players and guarantors of success, who are said to have well-paid contracts. "Of course we don't want to leave the squad as it is," said Schäfer. The ideal would be 25 to 26 players. There are currently well over 30.