RB Leipzig snaps up managing director from competitor
The successor of Max Eberl is confirmed: Marcel Schäfer will be the new CEO at Bundesliga soccer team RB Leipzig. The lengthy negotiations have come to an end.
Marcel Schäfer is the new Sport Director of Bundesliga soccer team RB Leipzig and thus the successor of Max Eberl, who switched to FC Bayern München. RB and Schäfer's previous employer, VfL Wolfsburg, announced the transfer. Schäfer begins his new role on August 1 and has signed a contract until 2028. The only issue left was the transfer fee for the 40-year-old, which is reportedly between 1.5 and two million Euro. Schäfer was only released by VfL, his contract there ran until 2026.
"We are very happy to present Marcel Schäfer as our new CEO Sport. We are convinced that he fits well with his spirit, experience, and skills to RB Leipzig," said Supervisory Board Chairman Oliver Mintzlaff in an RB press release. The club stands for a clear philosophy and the ambition to continue developing.
"We pursue ambitious goals and are confident that Marcel with his ideas and visions will contribute to the fact that we consistently continue our successful way," emphasized Mintzlaff. "Our common goal is that this top club continues to grow, is maximally successful, and remains one of the first landing stations for young top talents in Europe," said Schäfer.
He will receive full responsibility for the licensed squad, including staff, scouting, youth sector with the academy, and the RBL Women's team. He completes the management team alongside Johann Plenge and Florian Hopp.
From July 2018 to January 2023, Schäfer was active as Sport Director for VfL Wolfsburg, and from then until April 10, 2024, he took on the full sports responsibility for the Niedersachsen as CEO Sport. As a player, Schäfer played 312 games for VfL between 2007 and 2017. With them, he became German champion in 2009 and won the DFB Cup and Supercup in 2015. For the German national team, Schäfer played eight games.
RB Leipzig's new CEO Sport, Marcel Schäfer, previously held a similar position at VfL Wolfsburg in the Soccer Bundesliga. In an exciting turn of events, Schäfer will now lead RB Leipzig's licensed squad, including their women's team, in their continued Soccer Bundesliga journey.
