"Change things": Schäfer's message to the Leipzig professionals

Fresh wind, new spirit, brutal energy - RB Leipzig's sporting director Marcel Schäfer set out the expectations for the cup semi-final in Stuttgart in key words. Following the change of coach from Marco Rose to Zsolt Löw, the team must now deliver and pick up the new momentum on Wednesday evening (8.45pm/ZDF).

"We all have to do our bit to get a completely different attitude on the pitch, to play soccer differently," said Schäfer, issuing a clear warning to the players: "Of course we have to prepare the squad planning for the summer. I think we have to change a few things."

Löw's task

This means that the players are now also under scrutiny. Out-of-form stars such as Xavi Simons and Loïs Openda would be candidates for sale in the summer anyway, as would Benjamin Sesko. Especially if they miss out on the Champions League. But many veteran professionals will also have to show in the coming weeks that they can still hold their own.

Löw's first task is to breathe life back into the team. According to Schäfer, the 45-year-old should "not reinvent soccer". "It's about bringing our strengths to the fore, bringing in new wind and new energy," said Schäfer. The team should bring more life to the pitch.

Schäfer will then work on the squad with the new head coach. Löw will retire at the end of the season, returning to the team of global soccer boss Jürgen Klopp with his assistant Peter Krawietz. Schäfer therefore has a good two-and-a-half to three months to find a new boss on the touchline.

Advice from Klopp

"We have a clear plan in terms of profile. We have a clear idea of how we want to play soccer. We will hold talks accordingly and present a convincing solution," said the 40-year-old. He also wants to seek advice from Klopp.

There is already speculation surrounding Löw's successor. Roger Schmidt, who would be available from the summer, has often been mentioned. Other candidates are under contract, options for attractive and successful soccer would be Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) and Fabian Hürzeler (Brighton). A transfer fee would be due here, which Leipzig would probably even pay up to a certain amount.

In Schäfer's opinion, parting ways with Rose was inevitable. After the 0:1 in Mönchengladbach, he had lost faith and conviction that anything would change. Nevertheless, the sporting director made it clear that the current situation was not just down to the coach. "Something like this is always an admission that not everything has worked out," said Schäfer.