RB Leipzig begins the 2026/27 Bundesliga season with a new manager and a significantly reshaped squad. The club sits in second place after the first matchday with three points from one win, having scored three goals and conceded none.

Martin Demichelis has replaced Ole Werner as head coach, despite Werner leading the team to a fourth-place finish and Champions League qualification last season. The decision to dismiss Werner was strongly advocated by then-national team coach Jürgen Klopp, who is no longer part of the Red Bull setup. Demichelis, who previously managed Mallorca and spent nine years at Bayern Munich as a player and coach, now takes the sporting reins at Leipzig. His minimum objective is clear: securing Champions League qualification once again.

How has the RB Leipzig squad changed?

The summer was marked by a massive overhaul. The record departure was the sale of Ivorian striker Yan Diomande to Real Madrid for €125 million. Diomande contributed 23 goals last season. Other notable exits included Loïs Openda, Lutsharel Geertruida, Eljif Elmas, and long-serving goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi, who moved to Villarreal. Xaver Schlager also left the club for Nottingham Forest. The estimated summer transfer balance is around +€127 million, and the professional squad has been reduced to 31 players.

On the incoming side, sporting executive Marcel Schäfer and CEO Oliver Mintzlaff secured several targeted reinforcements. Christopher Nkunku returned to the club. In defense, 24-year-old left-footed centre-back Maxime Estève joined from Burnley for a base fee of around €25 million. In midfield, Rocco Reitz was signed from Gladbach for more than €20 million; his contract runs until 2031. He is intended to replace some of the drive lost with Schlager's departure. Abdoul Koné was signed as a developmental prospect. In goal, Maarten Vandevoordt is now the undisputed number one after Gulácsi's exit, with experienced backup Ørjan Nyland arriving.

What tactical approach does Demichelis plan?

The new manager wants RB Leipzig to play with intensity, aggressive pressing, and quick vertical attacks. His preferred structure is a 4-3-3 with attacking full-backs and a positionally disciplined holding midfielder. Preparations, however, were hampered by setbacks. Reitz spent most of pre-season recovering from a serious infection. Christoph Baumgartner remained in rehabilitation, and Assan Ouédraogo suffered a shoulder injury. Estève also struggled with a thigh problem.

In a pre-season friendly against Regionalliga side VSG Altglienicke, Leipzig won 2-1. Brajan Gruda scored, and Johan Bakayoko netted the winner. Altglienicke's equalizer came from mistakes by Castello Lukeba and the then-still-present goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi. Gruda later commented on his goal, saying: "He had kept his Leipzig apartment because he already knew where he wanted to be."

What does this mean for RB Leipzig's season start?

Despite the many changes and injury concerns, Leipzig's season has started successfully. The team is second in the Bundesliga standings with three points and a +3 goal difference. The next test is an away match against Werder Bremen on September 5th, as shown on the fixtures list. The major question will be how quickly the many new faces gel within Demichelis's system. Players like Arthur Vermeeren and Lukas Klostermann remain on expensive contracts but have no meaningful sporting perspective at the club. The coming weeks will show if the radical overhaul and coaching change deliver the desired success. The current performance overview can be found on our stats page.