RB Leipzig's new coach Zsolt Löw was almost a little overwhelmed by the congratulations on his new job. "I've never received so many text messages. It was really extreme," said Löw, listing: "The owners of Chelsea, the owners of Paris Saint-Germain, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, the Bayern managers." England's national team coach Thomas Tuchel, Ralf Rangnick and Adi Hütter also congratulated him.
Ahead of his Bundesliga debut against TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday (15.30 p.m./Sky), this gives him "a very good feeling, because it means for me that I have behaved normally and well in my career, no matter where I have been, and that I have always tried to remain human under the circumstances."
The long-time assistant to Tuchel, Rangnick and Ralph Hasenhüttl is not afraid to make unpleasant statements. Löw demanded a different approach from RB star Xavi Simons. "Xavi is an exceptional talent, but he has to get to the point where he thinks in a more team-oriented way," said the 45-year-old. "His individual performance is important, but he has to think about the team."
Back to Klopp in the summer
The performance in the 3-1 defeat in Stuttgart was a start for Löw. "Especially in defense, he did a lot of good things. He was busy on the move, closed down very good spaces," said Löw. Simons was bought by Leipzig from PSG for 50 million euros in the winter after a one-and-a-half-year loan. The Dutch international has not yet been able to build on his impressive form from his first season.
Löw once again emphasized that he was only doing the job in Leipzig until the summer - regardless of success. "I would be happy if we won all the games, but my answer would remain the same," said the Hungarian. "But first I have to prove that I can do it, that I can do it with a team." Löw wants to return to the team of global soccer boss Jürgen Klopp.
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