RB Leipzig Part Ways with Marco Rose Amidst Disappointing Season

RB Leipzig have parted ways with manager Marco Rose after a poor run of form.

RB Leipzig have parted ways with coach Marco Rose, just days before their German Cup semi-final clash against Stuttgart. The decision comes after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Borussia Moenchengladbach, which marked their sixth consecutive away match without a win. As a result, Leipzig have slipped to sixth in the table, three points behind a top-four spot and Champions League qualification for next season.

Jurgen Klopp, Head of Soccer at parent company Red Bull, has ruled out taking over as coach, either permanently or on an interim basis. Instead, Leipzig have appointed Zsolt Low as Rose's replacement on an interim basis until the end of the season. Low has previously served as an assistant coach at Leipzig, as well as at top clubs like Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea.

Leipzig's struggles this season have been a surprise, given their strong performance under Rose last season. Rose took over in September 2022 and led the team to a German Cup triumph and a third-place finish in the league. However, with only seven games remaining, Leipzig are facing a tough battle to secure a top-four spot, with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen already looking likely to qualify for next season's Champions League.

In addition to their German Cup triumph, RB Leipzig also secured the DFL Supercup at the beginning of the 2023/24 season, defeating Bayern Munich 3-0. This success was a testament to the team's potential, which made their subsequent struggles all the more surprising. Last season, Leipzig finished fourth in the league, benefiting from Germany's allocation of five Champions League spots due to their strong UEFA coefficient rankings.

RB Leipzig's sporting director, Marcel Schaefer, expressed the club's gratitude to Marco Rose while explaining the decision to part ways. “We had faith in Marco and his team for a long time and made every effort to turn things around together,” Schaefer said. “However, given our current situation and the lack of results, we firmly believe that we need a fresh impetus for the remaining games to achieve our objectives this 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).

Full statement ⤵️

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) March 30, 2025

The club extended their appreciation to Rose for his contributions during his tenure but did not include a statement from the outgoing coach. Furthermore, the remainder of Rose's coaching staff was also relieved of their duties, marking a comprehensive overhaul of the team's leadership.

Marco Rose, a seasoned coach with a proven track record, had been at the helm of RB Leipzig since September 2022. His contract was set to run until June 2026, but the club's recent struggles have led to his premature departure. Rose's coaching experience includes stints at Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Monchengladbach, and Borussia Dortmund.

RB Leipzig's poor performance this season has been a major factor in Rose's dismissal. The team has struggled in the Bundesliga, and their Champions League campaign was nothing short of disastrous, with seven losses in eight games. As a result, they failed to qualify for the knockout stages, a significant setback for a club with Leipzig's ambitions.

Zsolt Löw has been named as the new head coach of RB Leipzig. The 45-year-old will sign a contract until the end of the 2024/25 season and will take charge of his first training session on Monday. Peter Krawietz will be Löw’s assistant coach in Leipzig.

Full announcement ⤵️

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) March 30, 2025

Despite their recent struggles, RB Leipzig have a chance to redeem themselves in the German Cup. They face Stuttgart in the semi-finals on Wednesday, and a win could help salvage their season. Historically, Leipzig have been a consistent presence in the Champions League, having qualified for the competition every year since the 2016/17 campaign, with the exception of one season. In 2020, they even reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, a testament to the club's growing stature in European football.