Ole Werner spoke up on the business network LinkedIn one day after his departure as head coach of RB Leipzig.
The 38-year-old emotionally addressed the Saxony players, employees and fans. “As you found out yesterday, the club has decided to start the next season with a new coach. I have to respect that. Unfortunately, the timing of this decision makes it impossible to say goodbye to all of you in person. I hope to be able to do that again!” wrote Werner.
He looks back “very positively” on his season on the sidelines of RB Leipzig. “A year ago we started with the clear mission to lead RB back into international business, to give the team a new face in terms of appearance and style of play and to form a new hierarchy in the dressing room that would be sustainable for the future. Many changes have been made. A year later we can say that together we have managed to fulfill this mission,” said Werner.
He added: “A lot of what we’ve achieved feels self-evident today. A year ago there were many who wouldn’t have believed we could do that. The club is back on track!”
Werner sent a special thank you to his former players: “In all the difficult decisions you have to make as a coach, you always had the team in mind. Your professionalism and passion carried us through difficult phases. You are a team in the truest sense! I enjoyed every moment with you, it was an honor!”
RB Leipzig: Ole Werner also thanks Marcel Schäfer
Sports director Marcel Schäfer, who reportedly saved Werner from elimination twice during the season, but now had to relieve him of his duties on the instructions of the decision-makers at Red Bull headquarters, thanked Werner “for the trusting and intensive cooperation.”
There will now be “something new for everyone,” Werner wrote at the end of his post. “For some it is certainly a new opportunity. To those for whom this decision causes uncertainty, I would like to say that in my eyes, change is above all the opportunity to learn something new and continue to grow as a personality. Take advantage of this opportunity!”
RB Leipzig has not yet announced Werner’s successor. According to reports, former Bundesliga professional Martin Demichelis is taking over at Cottaweg.
Ole Werner’s statement in full:
Dear players, employees and fans of RB Leipzig,
As you found out yesterday, the club has decided to start the next season with a new coach. I have to respect that. Unfortunately, the timing of this decision makes it impossible for me to say goodbye to you all in person. I hope to be able to do this again!
That’s why I would like to at least take this opportunity to thank you for a year that I look back on very positively.
A year ago we started with the clear mission to lead RB back into international business, to give the team a new face in terms of appearance and style of play and to form a new hierarchy in the dressing room that would be sustainable for the future. Many changes have been made.
A year later, we can say that together we have managed to fulfill this mission. Much of what has been achieved feels self-evident today. A year ago there were many who wouldn’t have believed us capable of this. The club is back on track!
I would like to thank my players for their commitment, their trust in me and their support for each other in all phases. With all the difficult decisions you have to make as a coach, you always kept the team in mind. Your professionalism and passion have carried us through difficult phases. You are a team in the truest sense! I enjoyed every moment with you, it was an honor!
My staff and coaching team also deserve a big thank you. You did a great job! Thank you for your loyalty and trust in a year of upheaval and change.
I would also like to thank Marcel Schäfer and his team in Leipzig for their trusting and intensive cooperation.
And last but not least, thanks to you fans! We could count on you, you were our 12th man and you made Leipzig a place where I always felt welcome!
Now something new will come for all of us. For some it is certainly a new opportunity. I would like to say to those for whom this decision causes uncertainty that, in my eyes, change is above all the opportunity to learn something new and continue to grow as a personality. Take advantage of this opportunity!
I wish you all all the best and much success!
Thanks for every moment and goodbye!
Your Ole