RB Leipzig crisis as Marcel Schafer prepared to quit after Klopp-driven sacking

Jurgen Klopp faces an immediate executive crisis at RB Leipzig after managing director of sport Marcel Schafer prepared to quit. The internal friction emerged from Klopp’s influential role in orchestrating the dismissal of head coach Ole Werner, a move that undermined the sporting director’s authority.

Werner was sacked despite holding a contract until 2027. Schafer had aggressively defended the 38-year-old coach and twice blocked attempts to remove him, but the final decision was bypassed and taken at Red Bull’s corporate headquarters, where Klopp served as the primary driver behind the firing.

The abrupt dismissal has triggered political fallout, leaving Schafer’s long-term future in doubt. Three scenarios are reportedly on the table — resignation, dismissal, or remaining in post — and tensions flared behind the scenes as Schafer expressed unhappiness with how the decision was reached.

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