Red Bull boss Mintzlaff takes pressure off RB Leipzig

For Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff, Champions League qualification for RB Leipzig this season is not an absolute necessity. "In our current situation, we are a little more humble, because we first have to work our way back to where we were before. Everyone in soccer knows how thin the air is up there and that it is also particularly difficult to consistently develop to this level again, as is currently the case for us," said the 50-year-old in an interview with the "General-Anzeiger" newspaper, adding: "It doesn't happen overnight. That's why I'm deliberately not saying that we have to play in the Champions League again next year. But I expect a lot more than last year. We'll see whether that's enough for the Champions League in the end."

Lipzig failed to qualify for the international competitions for the first time in their Bundesliga history last season. "That was still far too little for the effort we put in," said Mintzlaff, criticizing in particular "the way we presented ourselves there. After the upheaval in the summer with the new squad, we certainly need a little more patience and time for everything to settle. That also applies to our new coach Ole Werner, who enjoys our full confidence."