RB Leipzig
Encyclopedia
RB Leipzig is a German association football club
based in Leipzig
, Saxony
. The club is supported by energy drink
-maker Red Bull
who purchased the license of fifth division side SSV Markranstädt
with the intention of advancing the re-modeled club to the top-flight Bundesliga
within ten years. In their inaugural season, RB dominated the NOFV-Oberliga Süd
(fifth division) in 2009–10 and as a result were promoted as champions to the Regionalliga Nord
(fourth division) for the 2010–2011 season.
, which already runs football clubs including Red Bull Salzburg in Salzburg
, Austria
, the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Brasil
in Campinas
, Brazil
. The name differs from these other teams' names due to the statutes of the German Football Association
(Deutscher Fußball-Bund) which prescribe how a sponsor's name is used as part of a club's identity. Unlike its other sports teams, the Leipzig club cannot carry the Red Bull name or be fully owned by the company. The German Football Association requires a club to hold 51% of its shares, Red Bull will therefore only be able to acquire 49% of the club.
RB Leipzig aims to play first division Bundesliga football within the next eight to ten years. It began with the purchase of the playing licence of fifth division side SSV Markranstädt
. The new club retained the Oberliga team as well as all other football teams of SSV and kept on coach Tino Vogel. In 2010, the team moved from their old ground to play their home games in the Zentralstadion which was renamed Red Bull Arena
.
It has been speculated that Red Bull will invest 100 million Euros in the club over the next ten years. Instrumental in the deal was Michael Kölmel, owner of the Zentralstadion in Leipzig. Dietrich Mateschitz
, owner of Red Bull, openly speaks of the possibility of the club winning a German championship. The last time a team from Leipzig won the German championship was almost one hundred years ago, in 1913, when VfB Leipzig captured the title.
Huub Stevens
, coach of Red Bull Salzburg, would like to see cooperation between the two clubs, and also suggested a friendly to be played between the two sides in Leipzig.
, a club with a rich tradition, but also plagued by constant financial trouble. After months of fan protests which deteriorated into violence, the company abandoned the plan.
Protests also greeted plans to invest in SSV Markranstädt, but to a much lesser extent. Apart from the use of weed killer that damaged the pitch at Stadion am Bad and some destroyed advertising, opposition was non-violent. In a survey carried out by the newspaper Leipziger Volkszeitung, 70% of the questioned residents of Leipzig welcomed the initiative. Public support for action against the involvement was low as football in Leipzig had reached rock-bottom, according to the Alliance of Active Football Fans. FC Sachsen Leipzig had its Regionalliga Nord
(IV) licence revoked at the end of the 2008–09 season when the club became insolvent, while local rival Lokomotive Leipzig
failed to earn promotion. Neither club has criticised Red Bull's investment, despite all three clubs playing in the same league in 2009–10. Steffan Kubald, chairman of Lokomotive Leipzig, dubbed the club the Bayern Munich of the Oberliga, meaning RB Leipzig is the team to beat.
FC Red Bull Salzburg SSV Markranstädt
ESV Delitzsch, functioned as Reserve Team New York Red Bulls Red Bull Brasil
Red Bull Ghana
Since 1 July 2010 home games have been played at the Red Bull Arena
also known as Zentralstadion with 44,345 seats.
Football in Germany
Association football is the most popular sport in Germany. The German Football Association is the sport's national governing body, with 6.6 million members organized in over 26,000 football clubs. There is a league system, with the 1. and 2. Bundesliga on top, and the winner of the first...
based in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
, Saxony
Saxony
The Free State of Saxony is a landlocked state of Germany, contingent with Brandenburg, Saxony Anhalt, Thuringia, Bavaria, the Czech Republic and Poland. It is the tenth-largest German state in area, with of Germany's sixteen states....
. The club is supported by energy drink
Energy drink
Energy drinks are beverages whose producers advertise that they "boost energy." These advertisements usually do not emphasize energy derived from the sugar and caffeine they contain but rather increased energy release due to a variety of stimulants and vitamins....
-maker Red Bull
Red Bull
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
who purchased the license of fifth division side SSV Markranstädt
SSV Markranstädt
SSV Markranstädt is a German association football club from the city of Markranstädt, Saxony near Leipzig. It is part of a larger sports club that also has departments for badminton, cycle ball, gymnastics, table tennis, and volleyball.-History:...
with the intention of advancing the re-modeled club to the top-flight Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
within ten years. In their inaugural season, RB dominated the NOFV-Oberliga Süd
NOFV-Oberliga Süd
The NOFV-Oberliga Süd is the fifth tier of the German football league system in the southern states of former East Germany. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008, it was the fourth tier of the league system. It covers the German states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony...
(fifth division) in 2009–10 and as a result were promoted as champions to the Regionalliga Nord
Regionalliga Nord
The Regionalliga Nord is currently the fourth tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008 it was the third tier. It currently is the highest regional league for the northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany...
(fourth division) for the 2010–2011 season.
History
Founded in May 2009, RasenBallsport Leipzig is the fourth football involvement of Red BullRed Bull
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
, which already runs football clubs including Red Bull Salzburg in Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Brasil
Red Bull Brasil
Red Bull Brasil is a Brazilian football club located in Campinas, São Paulo founded on November 19, 2007. The club is owned by Red Bull, who currently fields a team in Campeonato Paulista Série A2.-History:...
in Campinas
Campinas
Campinas is a city and municipality located in the coastal interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. is the administrative center of the meso-region of the same name, with 3,783,597 inhabitants as of the 2010 Census, consisting of 49 cities....
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. The name differs from these other teams' names due to the statutes of the German Football Association
German Football Association
The German Football Association is the governing body of football in Germany. A founding member of both FIFA and UEFA, the DFB organises the German football leagues, including the national league, the Bundesliga, and the men's and women's national teams. The DFB is based in Frankfurt and is...
(Deutscher Fußball-Bund) which prescribe how a sponsor's name is used as part of a club's identity. Unlike its other sports teams, the Leipzig club cannot carry the Red Bull name or be fully owned by the company. The German Football Association requires a club to hold 51% of its shares, Red Bull will therefore only be able to acquire 49% of the club.
RB Leipzig aims to play first division Bundesliga football within the next eight to ten years. It began with the purchase of the playing licence of fifth division side SSV Markranstädt
SSV Markranstädt
SSV Markranstädt is a German association football club from the city of Markranstädt, Saxony near Leipzig. It is part of a larger sports club that also has departments for badminton, cycle ball, gymnastics, table tennis, and volleyball.-History:...
. The new club retained the Oberliga team as well as all other football teams of SSV and kept on coach Tino Vogel. In 2010, the team moved from their old ground to play their home games in the Zentralstadion which was renamed Red Bull Arena
Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)
The Red Bull Arena, formerly Zentralstadion, located in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, is the premier football facility in the former East Germany. It is the largest football stadium in the former East Germany and has also hosted music concerts as well as football. Various Leipzig football teams have...
.
It has been speculated that Red Bull will invest 100 million Euros in the club over the next ten years. Instrumental in the deal was Michael Kölmel, owner of the Zentralstadion in Leipzig. Dietrich Mateschitz
Dietrich Mateschitz
Dietrich Mateschitz is an Austrian businessman who co-founded the Red Bull energy drink company and holds 49 per cent of the company's shares.-Biography:...
, owner of Red Bull, openly speaks of the possibility of the club winning a German championship. The last time a team from Leipzig won the German championship was almost one hundred years ago, in 1913, when VfB Leipzig captured the title.
Huub Stevens
Huub Stevens
Hubertus "Huub" Jozef Margaretha Stevens is a Dutch football manager and former defender.- Playing career :...
, coach of Red Bull Salzburg, would like to see cooperation between the two clubs, and also suggested a friendly to be played between the two sides in Leipzig.
Past Seasons
| Season | League | Place | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | German-Cup DFB-Pokal The DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga... |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009/10 | NOFV-Oberliga Süd (V) | 1 | 26 | 2 | 2 | 74 | 17 | 80 | not qualified | ||
| 2010/11 2010–11 Fußball-Regionalliga The 2010–11 Regionalliga season is the seventeenth since its re-establishment after German reunification and the third as a fourth-level league within the German football league system. It is contested in three divisions with eighteen teams each.... |
Regionalliga Nord Regionalliga Nord The Regionalliga Nord is currently the fourth tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008 it was the third tier. It currently is the highest regional league for the northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany... (IV) |
4 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 57 | 29 | 64 | not qualified | ||
| 2011/12 2011–12 Fußball-Regionalliga The 2011–12 Regionalliga season will be the eighteenth season of the Fußball-Regionalliga since its re-establishment after German reunification and the fourth as a fourth-level league within the German football league system... |
Regionalliga Nord Regionalliga Nord The Regionalliga Nord is currently the fourth tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008 it was the third tier. It currently is the highest regional league for the northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany... (IV) |
1 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 29 | 10 | 30 | qualified 2011–12 DFB-Pokal The 2011–12 DFB-Pokal is the sixty-ninth season of the annual German football cup competition. It commenced on 29 July 2011 with the first of six rounds and will conclude on 12 May 2012 with the final at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.... |
||
| Green marks a season followed by promotion, red a season followed by relegation. | |||||||||||
Criticism
The investment in SSV Markranstädt by Red Bull is not the company's first attempt to enter the Leipzig football scene. In 2006, it tried to purchase FC Sachsen LeipzigFC Sachsen Leipzig
FC Sachsen Leipzig was a German football club from Leipzig, Saxony. The roots of the club go back to 1899 and the founding of Britannia Leipzig. Following World War I, a 1919 merger with FC Hertha 05 Leipzig created Leipziger Sportverein 1899...
, a club with a rich tradition, but also plagued by constant financial trouble. After months of fan protests which deteriorated into violence, the company abandoned the plan.
Protests also greeted plans to invest in SSV Markranstädt, but to a much lesser extent. Apart from the use of weed killer that damaged the pitch at Stadion am Bad and some destroyed advertising, opposition was non-violent. In a survey carried out by the newspaper Leipziger Volkszeitung, 70% of the questioned residents of Leipzig welcomed the initiative. Public support for action against the involvement was low as football in Leipzig had reached rock-bottom, according to the Alliance of Active Football Fans. FC Sachsen Leipzig had its Regionalliga Nord
Regionalliga Nord
The Regionalliga Nord is currently the fourth tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008 it was the third tier. It currently is the highest regional league for the northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany...
(IV) licence revoked at the end of the 2008–09 season when the club became insolvent, while local rival Lokomotive Leipzig
Lokomotive Leipzig
1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig is a German football club based in the city of Leipzig in Saxony and may be more familiar to many of the country's football fans as the historic side VfB Leipzig, the first national champions of Germany...
failed to earn promotion. Neither club has criticised Red Bull's investment, despite all three clubs playing in the same league in 2009–10. Steffan Kubald, chairman of Lokomotive Leipzig, dubbed the club the Bayern Munich of the Oberliga, meaning RB Leipzig is the team to beat.
Affiliated clubs
The following clubs are affiliated with RB Leipzig:FC Red Bull Salzburg SSV Markranstädt
SSV Markranstädt
SSV Markranstädt is a German association football club from the city of Markranstädt, Saxony near Leipzig. It is part of a larger sports club that also has departments for badminton, cycle ball, gymnastics, table tennis, and volleyball.-History:...
ESV Delitzsch, functioned as Reserve Team New York Red Bulls Red Bull Brasil
Red Bull Brasil
Red Bull Brasil is a Brazilian football club located in Campinas, São Paulo founded on November 19, 2007. The club is owned by Red Bull, who currently fields a team in Campeonato Paulista Série A2.-History:...
Red Bull Ghana
Red Bull Ghana
Red Bull Ghana is a Ghanaian football club and academy located in Sogakope, South Tongu District, Ghana, which was founded in 2008. The club is owned by Red Bull, who currently fields a team in the Division One League Zone 3B.-See also:...
Stadium
The club played most of its home games in its inaugural season in the Stadion am Bad, which holds 5,500 spectators and is the old homeground of the SSV Markranstädt.Since 1 July 2010 home games have been played at the Red Bull Arena
Red Bull Arena (Leipzig)
The Red Bull Arena, formerly Zentralstadion, located in Leipzig, Saxony, Germany, is the premier football facility in the former East Germany. It is the largest football stadium in the former East Germany and has also hosted music concerts as well as football. Various Leipzig football teams have...
also known as Zentralstadion with 44,345 seats.
Squad
Staff
- Assistant Coach:
Germany Tom Stohn - Goalkeeping Coach: Germany Perry BräutigamPerry BräutigamPerry Bräutigam is a German Association football coach and a former player who works as goalkeeper coach for RB Leipzig.-Coaching career:...
- Conditioning Coach:
Austria Christian Canestrini - Scout: Germany Hans-Jürgen KreischeHans-Jürgen KreischeHans-Jürgen Kreische is a former East German footballer. Kreische spent his entire career with his hometown club, Dynamo Dresden, scoring 127 goals in 234 DDR-Oberliga games between 1964 and 1978...
- Scout: Germany Ronny Kujat
Notable players
- Sebastian Hauck
- Toni Jurascheck
- Ronny Kujat
- Michael LerchlMichael LerchlMichael Lerchl is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder for SSV Markranstädt.-External links:*...
- Christian Mittenzwei
- Alexander Moritz
- Christian Reimann
- Mario Schaaf
- Stefan Schumann