Leipzig Fires Coach Ole Werner Despite Successful Debut Season; Klopp Cites Future Focus

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — RB Leipzig has dismissed head coach Ole Werner, along with assistant coaches Tom Cichon and Patrick Kohlmann, despite a successful debut season that saw the club finish third in the Bundesliga and qualify for the Champions League. The decision, announced Wednesday, was made by Red Bull's head of soccer Jürgen Klopp and supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff.

Klopp acknowledged Werner's accomplishments but stressed the need to look ahead. "Ole did a great job, he led us to the Champions League, but we also have to look forward," Klopp said. Werner, 38, responded with a letter posted on LinkedIn, expressing disappointment at not being able to say goodbye in person to players, staff, and fans due to the timing of his dismissal.

In his letter, Werner reflected on his tenure as a "very positive" period during which he reshaped the team's demeanor and style of play while establishing a new hierarchy within the dressing room. He stated that the team succeeded in fulfilling that mandate, achieving 20 wins and five draws in 34 Bundesliga matches—the most points per game of any Leipzig coach.

Werner thanked sporting director Marcel Schäfer in his letter but notably omitted any mention of Klopp or Mintzlaff. The club has been linked with Mallorca's Martin Demichelis as a potential successor. This is not the first time Werner has faced an abrupt exit; he was also fired from Werder Bremen after refusing to extend his contract.