Jurgen Klopp, the renowned Red Bull’s head of global football, faced an unexpected and uncomfortable situation recently as he was forced to part ways with his former player and RB Leipzig head coach, Marco Rose. This decision marks Klopp’s first major move since taking on his new role with the Red Bull network, which includes overseeing teams like RB Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls.
Rose’s dismissal came after a string of poor performances by RB Leipzig, culminating in a crucial loss to Borussia Monchengladbach that left the team in sixth place in the Bundesliga. Despite Klopp’s initial support for Rose following earlier defeats, the continuous lackluster results ultimately led to the coach’s departure, making him the first managerial casualty under Klopp’s leadership.
The decision to let go of Rose, along with his coaching team and the head of first-team football, was undoubtedly challenging for Klopp, given his history with the former player. Rose had previously played under Klopp at Mainz 05, and the two shared a close friendship and professional relationship over the years.
In the interim, Zsolt Low has been appointed as Rose’s replacement until the end of the season. This marks Low’s first head coaching role, although he brings a wealth of experience as an assistant coach from his time working with the likes of Thomas Tuchel at various top clubs.
Looking ahead, Leipzig still has opportunities to salvage their season, with a German Cup semi-final match against Stuttgart looming. Despite the disappointments of the current campaign, there is optimism within the team to push for success in the remaining fixtures.
As speculation swirls about who will take on the permanent head coach position at RB Leipzig, names like Oliver Glasner from Crystal Palace have emerged as potential candidates. With the summer approaching, the club is expected to make significant moves to revamp their coaching staff and aim for a stronger performance in the upcoming seasons.