RB Leipzig Sporting Director Set to Quit After Klopp's Role in Werner Sacking

An uneasy atmosphere is brewing at RB Leipzig as sporting director Rouven Schroder is reportedly ready to resign over Jurgen Klopp’s involvement in the sacking of coach Ole Werner. The development threatens to unsettle a club already navigating a turbulent campaign in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Background

Jurgen Klopp, now Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer, has been pulling the strings behind the scenes since leaving Liverpool. His remit includes overseeing coaching appointments across the Red Bull network, and his fingerprints were all over the decision to part ways with Werner after a disappointing run of results. While Klopp’s footballing pedigree is unquestioned, interference in club-level decisions was always a risk when he took on the role. The chain of command at Leipzig, where Schroder has been building a project around Marco Rose, now looks fractured.

The Fallout

For Schroder, the sacking of Werner represents a breach of the autonomy he expected. The sporting director had long backed Werner’s methods and viewed his dismissal as an undermining of his authority. Insiders suggest that Klopp’s decisive intervention – reportedly a phone call to the board – was the final straw. If Schroder walks, Leipzig would lose a key architect of recent squad planning, including shrewd signings and a clear tactical identity. The timing is particularly troubling, with the club fighting for a top-four finish and preparing for crucial knockout fixtures.

What It Means

This internal power struggle could redefine RB Leipzig’s immediate future. Klopp’s increasing involvement risks alienating the very figures who made the club a force. A director’s resignation would force a mid-season shake-up, potentially unsettling the dressing room. For Klopp, it raises questions about how hands-on he intends to be – and whether his presence will bring success or conflict. The coming weeks will reveal if this is a temporary squall or a deeper rift that reshapes the Red Bull hierarchy.