RB Leipzig is parting ways with coach Ole Werner, despite qualifying for the Champions League and finishing third. The Bundesliga club announced the decision, citing a need for a new approach. Sporting director Marcel Schäfer stated: 'We analyzed the past season intensively and made the decision to replace the head coach.' Werner still had a contract until 2027, but a successor is expected to be announced soon. Assistant coaches Tom Cichon and Patrick Kohlmann will also leave the club. RB Leipzig achieved Champions League qualification and finished third under Werner's leadership. Argentinian Martín Demichelis is rumored to be Werner's replacement, having previously managed RCD Mallorca. Dissatisfaction with Werner reportedly stemmed from supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff and the global football department, including Jürgen Klopp and Mario Gomez. Werner's new playing style did not convince, and the team was deemed to have relied too heavily on luck to qualify for the Champions League. Marcel Schäfer had previously saved Werner's job twice, despite discussions about replacing him due to the team's unconvincing performances. Werner led Leipzig to a third-place finish with a newly formed team, achieving the club's official season goal. With 65 points, RB Leipzig narrowly missed their own Bundesliga record by just two points. Werner received criticism from experts, who pointed out a lack of dominance, insufficient running, defensive weaknesses, and too few points in key games. Despite Werner's impressive points-per-game average and his ability to form a cohesive team after a major overhaul, thanks to new captain David Raum, it was not enough to save his job. Leipzig had paid around two million euros to Werder Bremen for Werner's services in the summer of 2025, with the intention of a long-term collaboration.