Marco Rose has spoken out in favor of introducing an U23 team at RB Leipzig. "I wouldn't think it would be a bad idea," the 47-year-old coach of the Bundesliga club told pay-TV channel Sky. At the same time, he pointed out possible organizational difficulties: "If we were to play in the regional league with our U23s, for example, then we would be up against Lokomotive Leipzig, Chemie Leipzig, Rot-Weiß Erfurt and Carl Zeiss Jena. Everyone knows what that means for us, what an effort that would mean for the police in Leipzig." In addition to RB, VfL Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen, 1. FC Heidenheim, VfL Bochum, Darmstadt 98 and Union Berlin also do not have a professional U23 team in the Bundesliga.
"We have to work out solutions," Rose demanded with regard to the question of how top talent can be better integrated into the professional ranks. "There are other countries where the second teams play in the 2nd division. That would devalue our 2nd division," said the Leipzig coach. "I would love to have Winners Osawe on the pitch with us. But there's still something missing, I have to be that honest as a head coach." The 17-year-old Osawe had contributed to the U17s winning the World Cup title with strong performances.
"We should all be happy about the great success of the German U17s. But the boys now have to make the right decisions for themselves. The pyramid is getting thinner and thinner towards the top," said Rose warningly. "We coaches need food to integrate the boys. They have to develop and overcome resistance."
Rose cited league rivals SC Freiburg as a role model for exemplary youth development. "The U23s there play in the 3rd division, the boys enjoy top training and have a coach in the first team who looks after them. They play men's soccer early on and can get used to a higher level," explained Rose.
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