RB Leipzig dismisses Ole Werner as head coach

RB Leipzig has dismissed head coach Ole Werner and his assistants Tom Cichon and Patrick Kohlmann, the club announced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The decision comes despite Werner leading the team to a third-place finish in the Bundesliga and qualification for the UEFA Champions League in his single season in charge.

Sporting director Marcel Schäfer confirmed the move, stating the club had conducted a thorough review of the season and decided a change was necessary to meet future challenges. He acknowledged the coaching team's role in a successful rebuild and in securing Champions League football but said new ideas and a different approach were required. The decision was finalized on Tuesday evening, June 16.

Jürgen Klopp, head of global soccer for Red Bull, supported the decision, describing Werner's job as fantastic but emphasizing the need to look forward. Klopp stated that analysis of the season led to the conclusion that Werner was not the right coach to lead the team in the future.

Werner, who was appointed on June 24, 2025, expressed disappointment at the timing of his dismissal in a letter to players, staff, and fans posted on LinkedIn. The 38-year-old said it prevented...