Ole Werner's main tasks after starting at RB Leipzig

Ole Werner officially starts his first day of work at RB Leipzig on July 1. Marco Rose's successor still has a lot of work to do before the opening training session two weeks later. After the Saxons missed out on qualifying for the Champions League under interim coach Zsolt Löw, Werner is expected to master the return to international business. "The club has big goals and aspirations. These are exactly the parameters that convinced me and to which I want to make my contribution," said the former Werder coach on his signing.

Finalizing pre-season preparations

He also has to finalize the preparation plan with his assistant coaches Patrick Kohlmann and Tom Cichon, who are coming to Leipzig from Bremen. A test match partner is still being sought for the training camp from July 23 to 30 in Donaueschingen. RB must also manage the change.

However, sporting director Marcel Schäfer emphasized that current contracts will be respected. And not one contract at RB expires. "We want to usher in a new era. And of course we also need a healthy balance in the squad, which means our profiles are still young, hungry and capable of development," said Schäfer.

Midfield strategist as the coach's right-hand man

Since Xavi Simons has expressed his desire to transfer, RB are eagerly awaiting the return of Xaver Schlager, who did not play a game in the second half of the season due to knee problems and an operation. However, he has shown on several occasions that he can lead and direct the RB game. Will he become the coach's extended arm?

However, Leipzig have agreed internally that they will refrain from prematurely extending his contract, which runs until the summer of 2026, and will wait and see how things develop. In addition, they have already signed an alternative in the form of 20-year-old Ezechiel Banzuzi from Belgian club OH Leuven.

Goalkeeper issue must be clarified

The long-time regular goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi retired as the best Bundesliga keeper during the summer break. However, it is an open secret that the future lies with Maarten Vandevoordt. In addition, Janis Blaswich will be back on the pitch at Cottaweg at the start of training after his Salzburg loan. The crucial question is: Does the Hungarian Gulacsi see his future in Leipzig or is he planning to move on to another club at the end of his career? A lot certainly also depends on the views of coach Werner.

Who will replace striker Sesko?

Benjamin Sesko's next move is only a matter of time. According to reports, the transfer to Arsenal is well advanced. It will be finalized if the Saxons receive a transfer fee of €70 million plus bonuses for the Slovenian, who only extended his contract until 30 June 2029 last summer.

Who will be the striker for RB next season? The future of Loïs Openda is also open, as he probably wants to leave after missing out on qualifying for the Premier League. But with just nine goals in 33 Bundesliga games, it is questionable whether RB will recoup the costs of around 40 million euros. At least a solution is in the offing for Timo Werner, who has no future on his third return to Leipzig after another loan spell. He is said to have reached an agreement with Red Bull New York.

Do the oldies still have a future?

There has been speculation as to whether RB will part ways with the experienced Gulacsi, Willi Orban, Lukas Klostermann, Yussuf Poulsen and Kevin Kampl before the end of their contracts. However, Schäfer recently emphasized that it is not about age, but about performance. "And anyone who basically performs, who identifies with the club and its goals - and of course everyone has their own personal goals - but who subordinates everything to our goals as a club, is also very welcome. Whether they're 18 or 37," said the sporting director.