"Unworthy": Sports Director Schäfer Criticizes How Werner Was Treated

Sports director Marcel Schäfer felt that the way coach Ole Werner was treated upon his dismissal in Leipzig was disrespectful. “The last few weeks—and we have to be self-critical here—were anything but ideal; they were simply bad. Period,” Schäfer said in an interview with “Bild.” Although he had already had “a lengthy, confidential conversation with Ole” during the team’s trip to South Africa, this was supposed to be continued with a review after his return from vacation. 

“The fact that, in the meantime, so much played out in public for a variety of reasons was absolutely undignified toward both Ole as a person and as a coach. I’m truly very sorry about that. No question about it,” said the 42-year-old sporting director, who had already stood up for Werner during the season despite other strategic considerations by Jürgen Klopp’s global team. “And I believe it was absolutely the right decision to see the season through to the end with Ole,” he explained.

Failed to handle it respectfully

He also revealed details about his own interactions with Werner: “Yes, we were in communication. But the content stays between us. Basically, the conversations were always very open; they were honest, just like our collaboration.” In this line of work, he said, “there are always decisions where we know full well that, at first, they won’t be well received. Sometimes they’re tough as nails. Nevertheless, it’s always about doing things in a respectful manner. We didn’t manage to do that this time,” said Schäfer, who, in his own words, didn’t begin negotiations with successor Martín Demichelis until after the separation from Werner had been finalized.