RB Leipzig: Rouven Schröder’s “crazy experiences” in the transfer summer

RB boss takes stock of the year

In April, Rouven Schröder took over the position of sports director at Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and, just a few months later, was jointly responsible for the best transfer record in the club’s history (statistics). In an interview with the “Picture“-newspaper, the 48-year-old took stock of himself shortly before the end of the year, spoke, among other things, about the personalities of Xavi Simons and Dani Olmo, his sporting wishes for 2024 and the strangest experiences of the last transfer summer, the RB with a plus of 88.2 million euros.

“I don’t like giving grades. But if I have to: A 2 is fine. We have an average points average of over 2, moved into the knockout phase of the ‘premier league’ earlier than ever before, are in a Champions League place with 33 points, and we’ve managed the turnaround well. We are satisfied, but want to remain ambitious and hungry. That’s why I would never give the top grade 1,” explained Schröder when asked what grade he would give Leipzig’s performance in the current season so far (to the Bundesliga table).

When asked about the future of PSG loanee Simons, who made an immediate impact with 15 scorers in 25 games, but will now return to the Seine in the summer of 2024, Schröder said: “I think it’s good to have a certain amount of calm To call it a day and be happy with what we have right now. He suits us perfectly, is a top player and is also worth his weight in gold for our image. An example: He is always a topic in conversations with players. People say: ‘If Xavi feels comfortable here, then things must be pretty good at RB.’ (laughs) It gives the Leipzig location a huge push. Xavi identifies with us and lives it all completely. We just enjoy him being here now. We have done everything internally to ensure that he comes. We have to succeed again.”

When asked about the future of midfielder Olmo, who has been plagued by injuries this season and whose contract runs until 2027, but who could reportedly move with an exit clause of 60 million euros if an offer is made, the sports director remained reserved: “Important is that Dani gets completely fit again, he’s doing everything he can to achieve that. Then he is an absolute difference player for us and one of the best in Europe in his position. It’s normal that there is interest.”

Schröder also commented on the current debate about opening the league to investors (background). “Everyone is allowed to express their opinion, no problem at all. But we find that we need an external partner, support and new ideas in order to be and remain competitive. We all want a strong Bundesliga, great players and personalities who make the league attractive. To do this, we have to take the next step in development.”

Schröder: RB Leipzig’s goal is to qualify for the Champions League

The former Schalke player formulated his personal wishes for the sporting year 2024 as follows: “That we qualify for the Champions League, have maximum success, develop young players again and continue to perform as a unit. (…) We are nine points behind Leverkusen, that’s quite an announcement. We just look at ourselves and take our steps. Everything else is blinding.”

He is open to the internal considerations of installing a new strong man next to him in the management level after the surprising dismissal of sports director Max Eberl at the end of September: “Football is dynamic, there is no point in thinking too much about the organizational chart close. I feel comfortable in the setting here. With Marco Rose we have an outstanding coach who was also born in Leipzig. There is always a good, important and goal-oriented exchange with our managing directors Johann Plenge and Florian Hopp as well as with Oliver Mintzlaff (head of the supervisory board; editor) and Mario Góme (technical director of Red Bull Soccer). The club basically makes up its own mind and we deal with it completely transparently. I am in the here and now and try to do my part diligently. Everything else will be seen.”

Finally, Schröder also commented on his experiences from his first transfer summer working for RB, in which around 30 player movements took place: “There are a lot of nice stories and crazy experiences – like appointments in three different countries in one day or transfer fees that are being negotiated suddenly almost double. I have fond memories of visiting the families of some of our new arrivals: from homemade donuts to snacks, we had to eat everything before we were even allowed to start the conversations. Of course, as good guests, we did that – and it seemed to be worth it.”

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