Speaking to Sky Germany, RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has ruled himself out of the currently vacant sporting director role at Chelsea.
“I’m under contract in Leipzig until 2026 and I also wish to fulfil my contract. We still have a lot to do,” said the 47-year-old, who added: “I feel comfortable where I am.”
Leipzig have also recently announced the appointment of Max Eberl, formally of Borussia Monchengladbach as their new sporting director.
Under Mintzlaff, Leipzig have grown from the third division to a team fighting at the top of the Bundesliga. In Saxony he has also seen the development of players such as Naby Keita, Timo Werner, Joshua Kimmich and Christopher Nkunku.
Mintzlaff’s rejection means Chelsea must continue their search for a sporting director after also being turned down by Red Bull Salzburg’s Christoph Freund. According to The Guardian, they have also shown interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Tim Steidten.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
