Demichelis begins work at Cottaweg ahead of pre-season | OneFootball

While the players aren’t due back at Cottaweg until Saturday, 11th July, for their fitness and performance tests, Martín Demichelis has already got down to work.

Our new head coach arrived at Cottaweg in good spirits following his overnight journey from Mallorca, His first day in Leipzig was about meeting people across the club, getting to know his new surroundings and making an immediate start on the key topics ahead of pre-season.

Squad planning at the heart of early talks

Demichelis’ preparations began before he arrived in Leipzig. Over the past few days in Mallorca, he had already been focusing closely on his new role. Now, at Cottaweg, the work continues in person, with discussions involving the club’s sporting management and key contacts across RBL as attention turns to how the Red Bulls will approach the start of pre-season.

Squad planning is a central part of that process. Together with Marcel Schäfer, managing director for sport, and sporting director Sebastian Schuppan, Demichelis is helping to shape the footballing foundations for the weeks ahead. He is also taking a closer look at the academy, the training facilities and the wider setup at Cottaweg.

“Martín brings all of that together”

Speaking to BILD, Marcel Schäfer outlined why RB Leipzig are convinced Demichelis is the right fit.

“We want to win games. That involves the tactical side, the physical side and also that enthusiasm, that fire, that passion. Martín brings all of that together,” said our managing director for sport.

Demichelis’ footballing identity was also a major topic during the club’s talks with him. Schäfer explained: “The football he stands for is based on incredible intensity, high pressing and winning the ball back early. Once possession is regained, he wants to play forward vertically straight away. It’s football in attack mode.”

The first major date with the squad comes on 11th July. Until then, Demichelis will continue using his time at Cottaweg to get to know the club’s structures, prepare key decisions and work with the sporting leadership to lay the groundwork for the start of the new season.

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