Matthäus Confident at RB: “The Bosses in the Control Room Are Nervous”

For Lothar Matthäus, Germany’s all-time leading international, the coaching situation at RB Leipzig remains a pressing issue. “The bosses at headquarters in Salzburg are already a bit nervous. I don’t think they were all on board with this coaching change. The coaching change is still a hot topic in Leipzig. But not just in Leipzig—as I said, also at headquarters in Salzburg,” said the 1990 World Cup champion during a panel discussion in Munich. 

Leipzig lacks courage on the road

However, he doesn’t base his assessment of the coaching situation on this Wednesday’s Champions League match (9:00 p.m./DAZN) at Real Madrid, but rather on the subsequent games. “Unless stability sets in quickly at some point—including in terms of results,” Matthäus said. The 65-year-old had most recently watched the 6-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in person, but subsequently also witnessed the 1-6 loss to FC Bayern. “Those were two completely different worlds.” According to Matthäus, Leipzig lacks courage on the road. “The quality of the roster is so high that they really should be able to secure a Champions League spot,” he said, praising the work of Demichelis’s predecessor, Ole Werner. 

Martín Demichelis was, “ultimately, pushed through by Jürgen Klopp.” “The relationship between Jürgen Klopp and Demichelis is well known. ... Many people in Leipzig saw it differently. That leads to unrest when results don’t come. Then he’s convinced that it’s not just a matter of entering into a discussion,” Matthäus emphasized.