Max Eberl on Nkunku, Gvardiol and the rest of the season
RB Leipzig’s director of football Max Eberl at the winter training camp | His first weeks at RBL, the upcoming top of the table clash against Bayern Munich and his expectations for the rest of the season
In his media round at the training camp in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Eberl discussed among other things his biggest challenges at RBL so far, the January transfer window and his expectations for the rest of the season.
“By then we would have gone on a great run of games.”
Max Eberl on...
…the biggest challenges in his first weeks at RB Leipzig:
"I used the first few weeks to get to know the club in its entirety. Since the team took a break in December, I had the time to get an overview of all the processes and was able to get to know many employees. Ultimately, the biggest challenge was actually remembering all the names and assigning them correctly to the different departments." (smiles)
…Oliver Mintzlaff’s new role as CEO of Red Bull:
"Oliver played a very big part in me being at RB Leipzig. We still keep in very close contact and talk to each other frequently. Accordingly, I haven't really noticed a change to way that he works. I am all the more pleased that he is currently visiting us at the training camp in Abu Dhabi together with our two managing directors Florian Hoppe and Johann Plenge. We can exchange ideas here in peace and quiet along with a great atmosphere within the management team.”
…the January transfer window:
"We’re feeling very relaxed. We have already found a suitable loan club for Hugo Novoa in FC Basel. Provided nothing more out of the ordinary happens in terms of injuries or the transfer market, our squad is excellently stocked. We are not in the situation where we necessarily have to do something."
…the return of Josko Gvardiol:
“I’ve been able to get to know Josko better these last few days following his holiday after the World Cup. He is a great guy. Josko knows Leipzig really well and knows that he has chosen a club where he has developed fantastically. He played incredibly well during the World Cup and brilliantly across the first half of the season.
Our position during the January window is clear: Josko will remain at the club. It is also our intention to see him wearing the Leipzig kit next season as well.”
…Christopher Nkunku’s status:
“We’re constantly in communication with Christo regarding his medical condition. The decision not to operate, but to treat Christo in a conservative manner was the right one. Now, we’re hoping that his treatment will continue well and he will be back available for us in February.”
…the game against Bayern Munich:
“It is first and foremost a Bundesliga game with three points up for grabs. However, there’s no doubt about it that it’s a top of the table clash. It’s third place hosting the league leaders. It’s a meeting of two clubs who have done a lot to shape German football in recent years. We want to keep the three points in Leipzig, but we know how to assess the game. No matter who ends up winning the game, it won’t settle the league title there and then.”
…his expectations for his first six months at RBL:
"I hope that we can take our successful run of games from the end of the first half of the season into the start of the second half. If we manage to continue with that, then we can stay in the title race for a long period.
Our absolute minimum goal is to be competing in the Champions League this season. We are still in the DFB-Pokal as the defending champions and are into the knockout phase of the Champions League. Admittedly, Manchester City, who lie in wait for us, are no small opponent. But when I look at the skill within our squad, I don't think we're without a chance either. We'll see what success means in the end. For me, it's important that the team builds on the performances of their last 13 or 14 games. Because then we would have gone on a great run of games.”
