Leipzig sporting director Marcel Schäfer has made a strong critique of the club’s handling of Ole Werner’s sacking.
Werner was dismissed after a single season despite a third-place Bundesliga finish and Champions League football.
Multiple substantial reports from leading German outlets claimed that Red Bull Head of Global Soccer, Jurgen Klopp, intervened throughout the season to try and get Werner gone.
Klopp confirmed as much during his World Cup punditry duties, and Leipzig have since brought in Martin Demichelis from relegated Spanish side Real Mallorca.
“Of course advisory means that we were involved in the decision-making process,” Jurgen Klopp
Reports claimed that Schäfer repeatedly defended Werner throughout the season to keep him in his job, and the director has now commented on the whole sorry affair.
Leipzig reflect on Werner sacking
Speaking to BILD, he reflected: “The last few weeks – and one has to be self-critical about this – have been anything but optimal, simply bad. Period.
“The fact that so much then transpired in public for various reasons was absolutely disgraceful to both the person and the former Leipzig coach Ole Werner.
“I am truly very sorry about that. No question about it.
“I believe it was absolutely the right decision to see the season through with Ole in that situation.
“Yes, we were in contact. But the content remains between us.
“Generally speaking, the discussions were always very open and honest, just like our collaboration.
“In this business, there arealways decisions that we know will initially be met with little understanding. Sometimes they’re brutally harsh.
“Nevertheless, it’s always about being respectful. We didn’t manage that this time.”
Klopp’s role at Leipzig
Speaking after Werner’s sacking, Klopp said: “We are acting in an advisory capacity as the Global Team.
“But of course, advisory means that we were involved in the decision-making process.
“We analysed the season. Ole did a great job, we qualified for the Champions League. But we also have to look ahead at the same time.
“When we considered what the workload might look like, then the decision was made in Leipzig to make a change.”
Later, one of his former teammates and Leipzig commentator, Guido Schäfer, gave more detail.
Klopp not allowed to make Leipzig decisions
“Ole Werner knew there would be interference from the global team. Advice, suggestions for improvement,” he told Sport1.
“Klopp and Co. thought that Ole Werner would enthusiastically accept and implement all of it.
“At some point, Ole lost interest in the tips and instructions from Klopp and Co., and then apparently let the contact cool down somewhat.
“He was almost let go twice. Marcel Schäfer, the boss in Leipzig, intervened and kept him on.
“But I think it had been clear for months that the first season would also be the last. And what is Jurgen Klopp saying on television now? What is he supposed to say?
“Officially, they’re not even allowed to make any decisions. It was then announced by Marcel Schäfer.”
Asked why Klopp isn’t allowed to make decisions, Schäfer cited German football’s holy ’50+1 rule’ where fans have to own more than half of the clubs.
Leipzig had restructured their management to get around the rule, and, according to Schäfer, involvement from the Global Team would go against that agreement.
“They have to sell it that way. Because of the 50+1 rule, the global team led by Jurgen Klopp isn’t allowed to make any decisions,” he explained.
“But one thing is clear: when it comes to coaches and major decisions, Klopp and his colleagues naturally have the blessing of Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff. They certainly have a considerable say.
“If it had been solely up to Marcel Schäfer, Ole Werner might have had a second season. Although Schäfer wasn’t exactly a huge fan of Ole Werner himself.
“The football was a bit uneventful. Successful, yes, but rarely attractive, rarely intense. Schäfer had offered to provide him with a capable assistant for the upcoming season. Ole Werner, in turn, didn’t want that.
“To put it bluntly: no major decisions are made without Klopp and his colleagues, neither in Leipzig nor in Salzburg. That’s by design.
“But what I find appalling is the way Ole Werner has been treated. Someone has been repeatedly feeding various media outlets intimate details that have no place in the public sphere.
“These details focused on what Ole Werner supposedly can’t do, what Klopp and his colleagues criticise about him. This has hurt and damaged everyone.
“I don’t know what the moral justification or added value is supposed to be in spreading such information, which probably didn’t originate in Leipzig, but perhaps somewhere in Fuschl am See (Red Bull HQ).
“Ole Werner was damaged, the international team was damaged, and not least, Marcel Schäfer as well.”
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