"That's exactly why I'm here"

In partnership with

RB Leipzig

·7 de agosto de 2025

"That's exactly why I'm here"

A month has passed since David Wagner took up his new position as head of youth development at RB Leipzig. The 53-year-old has brought fresh ideas and a clear plan to the role, as he seeks to strengthen the connections between the academy and the club's first team. In an interview, Wagner spoke about challenges faced, goals set and future plans for youth football.

David Wagner on...

...his first month at RB Leipzig:

"Everyone here has been incredibly welcoming from day one. I've tried to settle in as quickly as possible and to get a grasp of the operating principles of every team. That doesn't just include the coaches, but also departments such as physiotherapy, rehabilitiation, fitness or scouting. It's about learning how they work and finding where they need support. I'm right in the thick of it and have been able to gain some good insights so far."

...facilitating the move from the academy to the first team:

"That's our overarching aim: to sustainably integrate a player from our academy into our first team. 'Sustainably' doesn't just mean that they go on to make just a handful of appearances, but rather that they feature 100, 150 or 200 times for RB Leipzig, spend several years playing in the Bundesliga and take up a leading role. It's a challenge that hasn't been achieved in any of the last ten years. That's exactly why I'm here. I want to help contribute towards achieving this goal."

...his experience:

"Working with youth players isn't just about helping players improve on the pitch, but also about helping further the development of the coaches and everyone involved with the team. That's where I want to use and share my experience. I'm happy to pass on everything that I've learned over the years in various positions. We have a fantastic set-up here. But, you cannot neglect the basics, which is where it comes down to the work you put in every day in training."

...changes within the youth department:

"We will make adjustments to our scouting and recruitment processes. Players aged 12, 13 or 14 that live far away should only be brought in to our club under exceptional circumstances. At that age, the focus should been on what's best for the child, even if it could have potential impacts on our sporting success in these age groups.At the same time, we will also intensify our support in order to ensure that more talented children continue to play football. The more support we provide, the higher the likelihood of discovering a top talent."

...Jürgen Klopp's proposal to start a U21 league:

"It's rare to see a player that has finished developing at 19. That's why I think it makes sense to give the boys two additional years to continue their development. England are setting an example in this regard, and it's not for nothing that they're producing so many talented players. There are enough clubs in Germany that would benefit from a league such as this. We should definitely pursue further discussion on this topic. After all, in the end we all share the same goal: of helping to develop more talented footballers."

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