Jurgen Klopp insists he's 'not the shadow boss' at RB Leipzig as ex-Liverpool manager outlines style of play Bundesliga club are aiming for under Ole Werner

Jurgen Klopp has insisted yet again that he is "not the shadow boss" at RB Leipzig while revealing how he expects the team to play in the 2025-26 campaign under new manager Ole Werner. Klopp brought in Werner this summer to revive the performances of a team that finished seventh in the Bundesliga, their worst final league position since returning to the top division in 2016.

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Klopp reiterated he is ‘not the shadow boss’
Attended Leipzig’s first training session
Outlined style of play under Werner

As Red Bull’s head of global football, ex-Liverpool boss Klopp was in attendance at RB Leipzig‘s first pre-season training session as the German side reassembled after the summer break. Klopp’s presence at the training ground once again fuelled speculation about whether the German will be involved in the on-field decision-making at the club, but the 58-year-old has refuted the rumours.

Speaking to the Bundesliga official website, Klopp said: “I don’t know if I need to explain this a thousand more times – I’m not the shadow boss here. I’m just trying to contribute my experience – and I really do have quite a lot of that.”

The former Dortmund manager also outlined the club’s preferred style of play under Werner in the new season as he added: “Being as successful as possible would be great. Proactive, high-intensity, well-organised, and creative. The squad will still change, I think that’s clear.”

The German side will play their first pre-season friendly match this Saturday as they take on ZFC Meuselwitz.