“In a league of their own”: RB Coach Demichelis concedes defeat to Bayern | OneFootball

Ahead of the Telekom Cup, Martin Demichelis is set for a very special reunion. The new coach of RB Leipzig will return to the Allianz Arena on Saturday for the first time as head coach of a Bundesliga rival. Ahead of the matchup, the 45-year-old raves about his time at FC Bayern—and considers the record champions to be in a league of their own when it comes to soccer.

Demichelis spent a total of twelve years in Munich. Between 2003 and 2011, the former center back played for the German record champions, winning four German championships and four DFB Cups with Bayern, among other titles. He later returned to FCB as a youth coach.

Consequently, the Argentine looks back on his return to Munich with great emotion.

“I lived in Munich for twelve years. It’s my second home. Bayern gave me a chance when I was young, and I grew up there,” Demichelis explained in an interview with Sport BILD.

The club’s unique mentality has also left a lasting impression on him: “Phrases like ‘Mia san mia’ mean a lot to me, and that’s why it’s really special to come to the Allianz Arena, especially since it’s my first time as a coach.”

At the same time, Demichelis made it clear that his full focus is now on RB Leipzig: “But I’m very proud to be the coach of RB Leipzig.”

Demichelis sees Bayern as being in a different league

With the Saxons, the 45-year-old aims to finish among the top four teams in the Bundesliga next season. However, Demichelis isn’t one to issue a challenge to FC Bayern in the title race.

Instead, his assessment of the balance of power is remarkably clear. “We have to be honest: Bayern is currently in a different league than we are,” explained the new RB coach.

With that, Demichelis joins the ranks of those who expect Bayern to dominate once again ahead of the season opener. While Leipzig, after finishing third last season, wants to secure a permanent spot in the Champions League, the Argentine currently sees the reigning champions as still out of reach.

A particularly tough test ahead of the season opener

Photo: IMAGO

On Saturday, Demichelis will have the chance to see for himself just how big the gap really is. As part of the Telekom Cup, Leipzig will visit the Allianz Arena at 3:30 p.m.

For both teams, the match is an important test of their mettle shortly before the start of the competitive season. For Demichelis, however, the game holds additional emotional significance due to his past.

After coaching stints in Argentina, Mexico, and Spain, the former Bayern pro now wants to prove his worth as a coach in the Bundesliga as well. “I had a great time in Germany as a player. Now it’s time to show what I can do as a coach,” Demichelis emphasized.

His first reunion with FC Bayern should immediately give him a sense of just how high the bar is set in Germany. After all, at least for now, there’s no doubt in Demichelis’s mind about who sets the standard in the Bundesliga.