Media reports: RB Leipzig apparently planning to part ways with coach Ole Werner – Demichelis discussed as successor

Who is Martín Demichelis?

According to information from the Argentine portal BolaVip, RB is prepared to pay three million euros in compensation for Demichelis. Demichelis had only recently extended his contract in Mallorca until 2028, apparently with an exit clause, however. "Dieses erachte er als unschlagbar", Marca is said to report regarding Demichelis' assessment of Leipzig's offer. "Sky" also describes him as a top candidate of the Saxons.

Ole Werner himself had only signed a two-year contract with Leipzig in the summer of 2025, after RB had transferred around two million euros to Werder Bremen. "Zwar unterschrieb der Coach damals nur für zwei Jahre", the reporting states – "die Intention war aber durchtig eine langfristige Zusammenarbeit." Werner's contract at the Saxons runs until 30.06.2027.

Werner's record at RB Leipzig

Sportingly, the past season was quite successful for Ole Werner: Werner led RB to third place with a squad that had been newly assembled in key attacking positions. "Werner führte RB mit einer in der Offensive auf Schlüsselpositionen neu besetzten Mannschaft auf Platz drei. Mit 65 Punkten verpasste man den eigenen Bundesliga-Rekord nur um zwei Zähler." In the summer, however, Leipzig had lost key performers in Xavi Simons, Loïs Openda, and Benjamin Sesko – the new playing concept did not fully convince those in charge in the end. "Die von Werner implementierte neue Spielidee überzeugte dort nicht ganz."

According to Sky, Werner's future is more uncertain than ever, with an immediate departure no longer ruled out. "Zuletzt berichtete 'Sky', dass Werners Zukunft ungewisser denn je sei und ein sofortiger Abgang nicht mehr ausgeschlossen werden könne." Accordingly, the board has spoken out in favor of an immediate separation.

Conflict between club management and sporting director

Dissatisfaction with Werner is said to have existed primarily with supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff and the global football department around Jürgen Kloppo and Mario Gomez. "Unzufriedenheit mit Werner … soll es vor allem bei Aufsichtsratschef Oliver Mintzlaff und der globalen Fußball-Abteilung um Jürgen Kloppo und Mario Gomez gegeben haben." In addition, it is reported that the leadership level reproaches the sporting director for a frosty relationship since December.

Leipzig's sporting director Marcel Schäfer had still been willing to extend with Werner promptly after the successful Champions League qualification. "Leipzigs Sportchef Marcel Schäfer war nach der erfolgreichen Königsklassen-Qualifikation noch gewillt, zeitnah mit Werner zu verlängern." But already at the beginning of June, the 41-year-old rowed back a little publicly, citing a still-outstanding season analysis. This has now apparently been completed – with what is likely an unexpected outcome for Werner.

Statistically, however, Werner leaves his mark at the Saxons: "Mit einem Punkteschnitt von 1,95 in 38 Spielen ist Werner der statistisch beste RB-Coach seit Julian Nagelsmann." Nevertheless, according to reports, they needed too much luck in qualifying for the Champions League.

Coaching stations of the possible successor

Demichelis' stations as a coach are varied. "Der Argentinier hatte 2017 seine Trainerlaufbahn begonnen und nach Mexiko zum CF Monterrey", before gaining experience in FC Bayern's youth setup in 2019. Further stations took him to his homeland at River Plate, before he took over in Mallorca in March 2026. As a player, he made 259 appearances for FC Bayern.

The final decision on Werner's future lies, according to Sky, with sporting director Marcel Schäfer, who is considered a supporter of Werner. "Die endgültige Entscheidung liege aber bei Sport-Geschäftsführer Marcel Schäfer, der als Befürworter Werners gilt." How Schäfer positions himself following the apparently now-completed analysis remained initially unclear. RB Leipzig declined to comment on the reports when asked.

Should the change actually be completed, Demichelis would be an experienced but still little high-profile coach in Europe on the Leipzig touchline from the summer. Werner would be gone after just one year – despite a record points average and Champions League qualification.