Schäfer: "Exactly the sort of spirit we want to nurture here"

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RB Leipzig

·5 January 2026

Schäfer: "Exactly the sort of spirit we want to nurture here"

As day four of RB Leipzig's training camp in Almancil draws to a close, managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer spoke to the media about the winter transfer window and the ongoing squad planning efforts. He also discussed Jürgen Klopp's visit to the training camp, as well as ruling out the potential winter departures of two RBL players.

Read on for all the key quotes from our managing director for sport.

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Training camp in Portugal:

"The surroundings here are excellent and very important for us, especially at this time where the weather in Germany isn't always the best. That's the feedback I've been getting from everyone. It was a great decision to come here."

What the focus has been on:

"We're working on specific elements of our game, as well as tactical elements, in addition to our overall fitness. We're also making sure to not neglect areas such as team spirit and togetherness. We spend time together away from the pitch as well, the lads will play cards and hang out with each other. That's exactly what it's about: becoming closer as a team, talking about things other than football and growing together as a result. During the first half of the season, I saw us play as a real team - that's exactly the sort of spirit we want to nurture here."

"Our squad planning is currently focused on the summer."

The winter transfer window:

"We were able to get one transfer done early on in Amadou Haidara's case. The situation with Kevin Kampl was not what we would have wished for, but we were able to find a good solution together after open and honest talks. There are a couple of players who aren't happy with the minutes they've received so far. However, it's not our intention to see one, two or three players depart in this window. We want to tackle the second half of the season with our current squad and have full confidence in them."

The visit of Jürgen Klopp, Mario Gomez & Co.:

"Every decision we make is made as a team. That's why it's a great sign to see our global team, comprised of Jürgen Klopp, Mario Gomez, Zsolt Löw and Pete Krawietz here with us and speaking not only with me but also with our players, coaches and staff."

A potential contract extension for Xaver Schlager:

"We're in talks, but Xaver and I have been speaking regularly ever since I started at RB Leipzig in summer 2024. It's important to ensure that there's clarity for both sides at a certain point in time - whether that means continuing to work together or heading in a new direction. The decision is not entirely up to Xaver alone, as it's always about working together. What are the expectations in terms of performance? What role do we envision for the player and our future with him? After that come the financial considerations. We've got a long history with one another, due to our shared time in Wolfsburg. I know what thoughts Xaver is weighing against each other, and there are personal factors that also need to be considered. It could be that we reach an agreement, or that we realise that it's not the right fit anymore. But we do want to establish clarity this January."

Péter Gulácsi's future:

"He's a highly valued player at RB Leipzig. Over the last six months, he's played a large part in our stability as a team and our development. Our talks are progressing well. It will also be dependent on Pete and what he imagines for himself, as well as what role he sees himself in. His age is irrelevant for now. However, it is obvious that at some point there will be a change in generation in terms of our goalkeeper."

Will Schlager and Gulacsi depart over the winter? "I can rule that out."

Marcel's expectations for the team:

"It's about continuing to refine what we've managed to establish together over the last months and going on to improve in every area. Every player is working hard on themselves in order to further develop their hunger and desire for success and victories. I've enjoyed what I've seen so far.It's true that it wasn't all perfect, not even in our games against Frankfurt or Augsburg, but as a whole, the way we've managed to grow together as a team and continue our development has been good. It will be interesting to see how the team deals with setbacks, like we were dealt just before Christmas. We now want to get the new year off to a successful start against St. Pauli. The positive thing is that we have been able to welcome several players back from injury and that our coaches now have more options at their disposal."

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