RB Leipzig 2026/27 preview: Demichelis era, Diomande sale, Nkunku return | OneFootball

Martin Demichelis takes charge for 2026/27 after Ole Werner restored Champions League football. The record sale of Yan Diomande and Christopher Nkunku’s return shape a reset.

2025/26 opened with a 6-0 loss at Bayern and a cup quarter-final exit to the treble winners. Leipzig responded with 22 points from eight and emphatic wins, including 6-0 scorelines and a 5-0 over Hoffenheim, to finish third. According to BuLi News, Marcel Schäfer and Jürgen Klopp opted for Demichelis, reportedly at Klopp’s instigation before he becomes Germany’s head coach.

The former Bayern defender is the Bundesliga’s first permanent Argentine coach. Leipzig paid a €2.5 million clause for a two-year deal after his Mallorca stint yielded five wins in 12 but ended in relegation.

Diomande’s €125 million exit slowed early incomings. Nkunku is the only attacking addition so far, and Maxime Estève joined from Burnley for €25 million. Fisnik Asllani’s move collapsed, while links include Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Said El Mala and Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade. Long-serving Péter Gulácsi could still depart.

Pre-season ended with defeats at Leeds United and Bayern. Nyland, Estève, Reitz and Nkunku missed time, while a 6-0 cup win at Eintracht Trier featured no debutants and cameos for Conrad Harder and Arthur Vermeeren.

Selection is fluid, but a probable 4-3-3 is Vandevoordt, Raum, Lukeba, Estève, Baku, Seiwald, Reitz, Ouédraogo, Nusa, Nkunku, Gruda. Leipzig host Gladbach, visit Werder, go to Bayern, and finish against Hoffenheim. Demichelis has suggested they cannot compete with Bayern, so a Pokal tilt might be the realistic target.

Source: BuLi News

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