New head of sport

Eberl successor here! Schäfer takes over in Leipzig

Marcel Schäfer follows in the footsteps of Max Eberl.(Bild: AFP/APA/Ronny Hartmann)

Marcel Schäfer is the new head of sport at German Bundesliga club RB Leipzig, succeeding Max Eberl, who has moved to FC Bayern Munich. After weeks of negotiations, RB and Schäfer's previous employer, VfL Wolfsburg, announced the change on Sunday. Schäfer will take up his new position on August 1 and has signed a contract until 2028. Most recently, the only issue was a transfer fee for the 40-year-old.

According to reports, this is said to be between 1.5 and two million euros. Schäfer had only been released by VfL, where his contract ran until 2026. "We are convinced that his spirit, experience and skills make him a very good fit for RB Leipzig," said supervisory board chairman Oliver Mintzlaff. Schäfer is eagerly awaiting his new role. "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 ports of call for top young talents in Europe."

Wolfsburg past
Schäfer will have overall responsibility for the professional team including staff, scouting, the youth academy and the RBL women's department. He completes the management team around Johann Plenge and Florian Hopp. Schäfer worked as sports director at VfL Wolfsburg from July 2018 to January 2023, before taking on overall sporting responsibility at the Lower Saxony club as managing director of sport until April 10, 2024.