RB Leipzig fires coach Marco Rose amid Bundesliga struggles as Champions League hopes fade

RB Leipzig have dismissed head coach Marco Rose after a disappointing season that has left the club sitting sixth in the Bundesliga, the German side announced on Sunday.

The 48-year-old German manager, who was appointed in September 2022 as Domenico Tedesco's replacement, saw his tenure come to an abrupt end following Saturday's 1-0 defeat to fifth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach. This loss further complicated Leipzig's Champions League qualification hopes, as they now find themselves three points behind fourth-placed FSV Mainz with just seven matches remaining in the season.

"Marco Rose has been relieved of his duties as RB Leipzig head coach with immediate effect. His coaching team of Alexander Zickler, Marco Kurth and Frank Geideck have also left the club, along with Frank Aehlig (head of first team football)," Leipzig stated in an official announcement.

Rose, who previously managed Borussia Dortmund, Gladbach and Red Bull Salzburg, leaves despite having achieved notable success during his time with the club. Under his guidance, Leipzig captured both the German Cup in the 2022-23 season and the German Super Cup in 2023. The team also finished a respectable fourth in the Bundesliga last season but failed to advance beyond the Champions League group stage in the current campaign.

The timing of Rose's dismissal is particularly challenging as Leipzig prepares for a crucial German Cup semi-final against VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday. Regarding Rose's replacement, the club added: "The club will announce who will take over the head coach role on an interim basis in due course."

This coaching change comes at a critical juncture as Leipzig fights to secure European competition for next season during the final stretch of Bundesliga matches.

SportsLigue