Mintzlaff after Eberl exit: "Couldn't be saved".

For Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, the separation of sports director Max Eberl after less than a year as sports director at RB Leipzig was without alternative. "No, it was not to be saved," he said on Saturday at the Sky channel before the top game of the soccer Bundesliga of the Leipzigers at home against FC Bayern: "That's why we have also acted so consistently."

The club had separated surprisingly from Eberl on Friday. The 50-year-old had taken over the post as sports director only in December last year. In the message for the immediate release of Eberl, the club had accused him of a lack of "commitment to the club", after this had recently been associated again in the media with a possible change to FC Bayern.

Even Leipzig's coach Marco Rose was "surprised" by the decision. He had always "worked together with Max in a spirit of trust," he said on Sky: "I think it's a shame." However, he could not evaluate the process and the development that led to the separation, Rose expressed.

It had lacked the commitment to the club, for the city and thus for those responsible also the conviction to continue on a long-term path, Mintzlaff explained. It had been a process that had started earlier in the spring when rumors had emerged. "Of course, one would have liked that there is more conviction," said Mintzlaff, after Eberl was repeatedly brought with FC Bayern and connection.

He had long fought for Eberl, the sadder that is, Mintzlaff admitted. The management of RB had also had the feeling, so it goes no longer. As chairman of the supervisory board, he had been part of the process. "This has been a tough decision," stressed Mintzlaff, who at the time had had the feeling during the commitment of Eberl that the "absolute wish solution" fit the club.

"Makers or not, this is of course disappointing that one has come to such a misjudgement together," said the 48-year-old Mintzlaff. Meanwhile, there had been no contact with FC Bayern.