Leipzig confirm Schäfer's administrative appointment

An administrative move rumored to be in the works for quite some time is finally through. RB Leipzig have installed former VfL Wolfsburg sporting and managing director Marcel Schäfer as Max Eberl's replacement. Germany's Kicker Magazine reports that the two clubs have settled on a €1.5 million transfer fee for the 40-year-old. Current RB sporting director Rouven Schröder shall remain the top administrative official until Schäfer officially takes office on August 1st. 

Schäfer - a former German international with six caps under Bundestrainer Joachim Löw - worked for six years at Wolfsburg under the tutelage of famed German footballing administrator Jörg Schmadtke. Schäfer ultimately succeeded Schmadtke when the latter departed in January 2023. He served as Wolfsburg's chief sporting administrator until the pursuit of the Leipzig job forced him to abdicate his position this past spring.

"We are delighted to present Marcel Schäfer as our new Managing Director Sport," RB Supervisory Board Chairman Oliver Mintzlaff is quoted as saying on the club's website, "We are convinced that his spirit, experience and skills make him a very good fit for RB Leipzig. We are pursuing ambitious goals and are certain that Marcel's ideas and visions will help us to consistently continue on our successful path."

"In addition to winning titles, RB Leipzig has also become a real force to be reckoned with internationally," Schäfer himself added, "Our common goal is for this top club to continue to grow, achieve maximum success, and at the same time remain one of the first stations for top young talents in Europe."