"We are all in this together" – Marcel Schäfer sends clear message amid RB Leipzig criticism

RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer has spoken out about the club's recent disappointing performances.

RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer.

Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images

After a promising start with two wins, RB Leipzig have suffered back-to-back defeats to Werder Bremen and Como, sparking significant criticism in the press and on social media.

RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schäfer has now shared his thoughts on the situation, acknowledging that the team's recent performances have fallen well below expectations.

“We have, of course, seen what has been said about the club in the press and on social media over the past few days. We are highly ambitious, but we are also critical of ourselves. The last two results have not been good enough. We know that, and we are not going to sugar-coat it. We are addressing the situation very clearly internally,” Schäfer said in a statement released by RB Leipzig on Friday night.

Despite the recent setbacks, Schäfer was keen to underline the club's full support for new head coach Martin Demichelis and his squad, stressing that, given the significant changes made at the club over the summer, it's only natural that the team will need time to fully gel.

“At the same time, we are staying calm and focused, and we are united as a club. That applies to everyone who works here, the players and the entire coaching staff. They all have our full support and trust,” he said.

“We made a number of changes over the summer, brought new players into the squad and have also had several injuries to deal with. Important players are now coming back. A new-look team needs time to gel and to develop an understanding on the pitch. That is simply the reality.

“We believe in the quality of our squad and we know what this team is capable of. Now we need to learn the right lessons, continue to work hard and make progress over the coming weeks. We are all in this together, we share the responsibility and we will keep doing what we believe is right. We won’t be distracted by what’s being said.”

With pressure mounting following the two heavy defeats, RB Leipzig will be determined to return to winning ways when they welcome bottom-placed Hamburger SV to the Red Bull Arena on Sunday.