The Japan Times - Werner unveiled as first new Leipzig coach in Klopp era

Werner, 37, was announced as Leipzig boss in June, having left Werder Bremen at the end of last season.

Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund coach Klopp took over as head of global football at Leipzig's parent company Red Bull in January 2025.

Leipzig struggled last season, missing the European placings by finishing seventh, their worst result since their debut promotion in 2016.

Leipzig sacked coach Marco Rose, a friend of Klopp, midway through the season and only appointed an interim replacement as they searched for a permanent fix in the dugout.

"I've spoken a lot with Jurgen Klopp," Werner said Wednesday.

"We came very quickly to the same opinion about the style we want to play -- of course, we got into depth discussing the details.

"It'll keep going like that. I'm someone who likes to hear different opinions, but at the end I'm someone who goes his own way and that's why Leipzig brought me in.

"It's very important that we use his experience and his perspective."

Leipzig have won two German Cups and made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2020, but are yet to mount a serious challenge for the Bundesliga title.

Werner said Leipzig's lofty expectations were an additional motivation.

"There's pressure everywhere, and you put it on yourself, too. There are high expectations, from everyone involved, from everyone in charge, but also from me.

"I'm used to that; it's completely normal."

The coach moves to Saxony after a successful spell at Bremen, having returned the side to the top half of the Bundesliga table after several lean years despite a comparatively small budget.

Werner spent three-and-a-half years as head coach at Bremen, having taken over mid-season with the club in the second division in 2021.

Under Werner, Bremen immediately returned to the top flight.

Werner improved the four-time German champions' placing in the table in each of the three full seasons he was in charge, bringing them up to eighth, one point shy of the European spots in 2024-25.

Bremen sacked Werner in May after the coach said he would not be extending his deal at the club beyond 2026.

T.Ikeda--JT