​Martín Demichelis has promised to bring intensity and passion as he was officially unveiled as RB Leipzig’s head coach on Monday. “It is an honor for me to be part of this club. I want to take the next step together with everyone. Intensity, passion, courage, and offensive play—these are words I like a lot,” declared the 45-year-old Argentine. He added, “And as well aggressiveness and intensity, in every contact, playing in an attacking manner with courage, defending with boldness, and showing strong body language.”
Demichelis succeeds Ole Werner, who stepped down after one season despite guiding Leipzig to third place in the Bundesliga and earning a return to the Champions League. The former Bayern Munich defender said he has already reached out to all players, including teenage standout Yan Diomande, who has attracted interest from several top clubs after a standout first season with Leipzig and his performances for Ivory Coast at the World Cup. “Yan has a contract, he must return,” Demichelis stated, with managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer adding, “He should enjoy his holiday. We have the clear intention to support players for more than one year.”
Leipzig has already announced acquisitions for the coming campaign, adding Abdoul Koné and Rocco Reitz to the squad. A new loan arrangement has been made for Brajan Gruda, with a mandatory purchase option after the loan period. Leipzig’s chief executive officer Tatjana Haenni emphasized that the club intends to “develop further” under Demichelis, focusing on evolving the way they play and the ongoing development of their game as a clearly defined objective. Haenni also addressed speculation about the potential departure of Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, Jürgen Klopp, who has been linked with the role of German national team coach, stating that Klopp’s departure would not significantly affect the club. “He was an adviser for us, he accompanied us, we talked a lot,” she explained. “We want to continue working, whether with or without Jürgen Klopp. I don’t think it will have a direct influence on us.”
RB Leipzig will begin the new season on August 22 with a German Cup first-round clash away at fourth-division Eintracht Trier. Their Bundesliga campaign will commence a week later with a home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach. At his official presentation in Leipzig, Demichelis appeared alongside RB Leipzig’s managing director, Marcel Schäfer, as they spoke about the club’s direction and the expectations for the season ahead.
Demichelis, pictured with Schäfer at the event, conveyed a clear message about the footballing identity he intends to cultivate at Red Bull’s satellite club: a team that applies relentless pressure, plays forward with purpose, and defends with courage in all phases of the game. The club’s leadership outlined a plan to support players over longer stretches, signaling a commitment beyond short-term results and emphasizing a holistic development pathway that aligns with Leipzig’s broader sporting philosophy.
As Demichelis prepares to shape Leipzig’s approach, the expectations are high for a manager who has spent years at the highest levels of European football, including his time with Bayern Munich, and who is now tasked with translating his philosophy into tangible results on the pitch. The team’s supporters are hopeful that the new era under Demichelis will bring a cohesive, aggressive, and entertaining style of play that can propel Leipzig back into the upper echelons of German football and into continued Champions League contention.