Klopp praises RB coach Werner: "Absolute overperformer"

Jürgen Klopp has contradicted the impression that new coach Ole Werner was not necessarily the preferred candidate at RB Leipzig. "When his appointment at Bremen came to an unexpected end, we quickly agreed internally that he was our candidate. He was an absolute overperformer at his previous clubs," said the Global Head of Soccer at the Red Bull Group in an interview with "Welt am Sonntag".

The 37-year-old Werner is "one of the youngest coaches in the top five leagues", said Klopp: "So he can still develop. And we want to do that together with him." Prior to the signing of the former coach of league rivals Werder Bremen, Erik ten Hag and Cesc Fàbregas had been the main candidates to become Leipzig's new coach.

Klopp does not want to be a "sword of Damocles"

The former Liverpool FC and Borussia Dortmund coach is certain that Werner does not have to fear his shadow. "It's about the role I have at Red Bull, where I'm not the sword of Damocles hovering over our coaches. I tell you how to do it and if you don't understand, I'll do it myself. That will never happen," affirmed the 58-year-old.

Klopp does not see RB Leipzig's disappointing last Bundesliga season, in which they missed out on the European Cup places, as a disaster. At other clubs such as FC Bayern or Manchester City, "there are also phases when things don't go well", said Klopp: "And quite honestly, when I read that the Klopp effect hasn't happened yet - that's madness."