Bundesliga
Werner: "I had a good feeling right from the start"
RB Leipzig head coach Ole Werner has faced the media for the first time after switching from Bundesliga rivals Werder Bremen, sharing his initial thoughts and impressions of his new club.
The 37-year-old said: “I’ve met nothing but positive, motivated people over these first few days and had a great impression overall. I’ve had good conversations with a range of departments. You can really sense the level of professionalism and ambition at this club – I like that a lot, and it fits with how I see things. I’m excited for things to really get going.”
Having guided Bremen back into the Bundesliga at the end of 2021/22 before following up promotion with 13th-placed and successive top-half finishes, Werner explained why he was so willing to join Leipzig after departing the Green-Whites in May.
"I had a good feeling right from the start – that what I bring as a coach, and have already proven, would fit with the club’s ambitions and expectations," he explained. "What makes RB Leipzig particularly interesting to me is the environment – a place where development is possible, not just for players but also in terms of the football itself. The club approaches things differently, works innovatively, and tackles challenges with a unique mindset."
After Leipzig finished seventh last season and failed to qualify for Europe for the first time since 2016/17, Werner identified returning to continental competition as the main aim.
"We’re not setting ourselves any limits when it comes to how high we can aim," he affirmed. "It’s also about more than results: RB Leipzig stands for a certain style of football – successful, and instantly recognisable. It’s our job to keep developing that style. We want to stand for a distinctive brand of football. We want to be aggressive, ambitious, and make opponents feel what it’s like to play against RB Leipzig."
Ahead of Leipzig's return to pre-season training on 14 July, Werner also echoed sporting director Marcel Schäfer in indicating there will be a few changes to the squad over the summer, saying: "I’ve been heavily involved in squad planning for weeks already, and now we’ll step that up. It’s not just about footballing ability – character is just as important. We want players who are the right fit for us and who are all pulling in the same direction."
Werner's first chance to show his Leipzig team are singing form the same hymn sheet will come in their DFB Cup first-round trip to fourth-tier Sandhausen on 16 August. A week later, Die Roten Bullen look horns with defending champions Bayern Munich in the 2025/26 Bundesliga season opener.