Bundesliga
Julian Nagelsmann targeting trophies with RB Leipzig
The Bundesliga’s youngest coach and club have been united ahead of the 2019/20 season with Julian Nagelsmann taking the reins at RB Leipzig. Now installed, the 31-year-old plans to deliver the club its first silverware.
Nagelsmann gave his first press conference on Monday after signing on at the Red Bull Arena from Hoffenheim in June, alongside new sporting director Markus Krösche, and was anything but conservative in his ambitions for the club.
“The next few years should be as successful as the last three years in the Bundesliga,” Nagelsmann said of his new charges, who came third last season behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. “The goal is to bring something shiny home at some point.
Watch: Nagelsmann's Hoffenheim and Leipzig shared the spoils when they last met in February
“The RB Leipzig DNA will continue to be our foundation, but I’ll bring in some of my own approaches. I want to build on what they achieved last season. We’ll focus particularly on ball retention and having the right mentality.”
Leipzig have signed Brazilian left-back Luan Candido from Palmeiras and Austrian winger Hannes Wolf from Red Bull Salzburg so far this summer. The latter has since been ruled out for the coming season with a cruciate ligament injury, but Nagelsmann is happy with the squad at his disposal.
“We’ve got versatile players, especially in defence. We can play with a back three and a back four. We’re still working on our basic tactical playbook, so you’ll have to wait and see what’ll happen on the field.”
Nagelsmann, who was linked with Real Madrid during his time with Hoffenheim, attended the Sachsenring MotoGP on Sunday, but if all goes to plan, he won’t be able to fit in too many more extra-curricular activities in the coming seasons.
“I had other offers, but Leipzig made extraordinary efforts to bring me here,” he said. “Just like Red Bull, I’m in a comprehensive sporting position, but I won’t have time for more excursions if everything goes well here!”
Nagelsmann will oversee summer friendlies against FC Zürich, Rennes and Aston Villa in July and August – followed by a DFB Cup game against Osnabrück – before Leipzig’s 2019/20 Bundesliga season opener at promoted Union Berlin.