From Champions League contenders to mid-table mediocrity — RB Leipzig’s 2025-26 collapse was rooted in tactical chaos, flawed recruitment, and leadership failure.
Rather than evolving, RB Leipzig regressed tactically in 2025-26. Under Domenico Tedesco, the team clung to a rigid 4-2-3-1 formation that abandoned the high-pressing, vertical football that once defined the club. The pressing lines were inconsistently spaced, allowing opponents like Union Berlin and Werder Bremen to bypass them with simple long balls over the top. Leipzig’s average PPDA (passes per defensive action) rose to 14.3 — the highest in club history — indicating a passive, disorganized press.
The midfield lacked balance. With Kevin Kampl unable to cover ground and Loïs Openda frequently used out of position, spaces between the lines were routinely exploited. Against Bayer Leverkusen in November, Leipzig conceded four goals from central transitions — a damning indictment of their structural vulnerability. Even at home, the team averaged only 1.2 xG per game after December, down from 1.9 the previous season. The fluidity was gone; the identity erased.
"They stopped being Leipzig. They stopped pressing, stopped moving, stopped believing" — Bundesliga analyst, The Athletic
The summer 2025 window was supposed to strengthen Leipzig’s spine. Instead, it deepened their crisis. Amadou Onana, signed for €30 million from Everton, failed to adapt to the Bundesliga’s tempo. He lacked the positional discipline required in transition and was benched by January after conceding three penalties. His 78% pass accuracy in the defensive third was below league average for a holding midfielder.
Jonathan Burkardt, brought in on a free, managed just 3 goals in 22 appearances. His static, back-to-goal style clashed with any attempt at quick transitions. Even worse was the failed loan of Rayan Cherki from Lyon. Hyped as a creative spark, Cherki delivered only one assist and was sent back in January after repeated tactical indiscipline. The club’s net spend of €45 million yielded zero impact players — a catastrophic return on investment.
Domenico Tedesco bears significant responsibility. His man-management has deteriorated, with reports of friction between him and key players like David Raum and Willi Orbán. He stubbornly rotated Benjamin Šeško despite the striker showing signs of fatigue, and failed to integrate youth from the academy — a core principle of Leipzig’s model. His tactical rigidity was exposed in European competition, where Leipzig were eliminated in the Europa League group stage for the first time since 2018.
Yet the board shares blame. Ralf Rangnick’s influence in recruitment led to misaligned signings. Tedesco was handed a squad that didn’t fit his vision, and without a reliable goalkeeper — Péter Gulácsi missed 17 games — defensive cohesion was impossible. The manager didn’t build the team, but he failed to adapt it. That distinction matters — but not enough to save his job.
Survival isn’t enough — Leipzig needs revolution. First: replace Tedesco. Names like Julian Nagelsmann, Nico Kovac, or even Roberto De Zerbi offer tactical clarity and player connection. Second: reset recruitment. Return to the model that produced Dayot Upamecano and Christopher Nkunku — young, high-upside talents from underrated leagues.
Third: reclaim the club’s identity. High press, fast transitions, fearless youth integration. Without a cultural reset, Leipzig risks becoming a selling club with no trophies — a shadow of its former self. The board must choose: rebuild with courage, or accept decline.
Q: Will RB Leipzig sack their manager?
A: Yes, Domenico Tedesco is widely expected to be dismissed at the end of the 2025-26 season. Multiple reports indicate the board has already begun scouting replacements.
Q: Who should RB Leipzig sign in summer 2026?
A: Priority should go to a dynamic midfielder like Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG), a pacey winger such as Rayan Raveloson (Lens), and a young, ball-playing center-back.
Q: Why is RB Leipzig playing so badly?
A: A combination of tactical stagnation, misfired signings, poor leadership, and loss of club identity has led to their collapse. The system failed, not just the players.