RB Leipzig fired head coach Ole Werner on Friday, a move the club says is part of a broader focus on long-term strategy. The dismissal comes as the Bundesliga side's crypto sponsorship with Kraken faces increasing strain, with sources close to the deal describing it as "in turbulence" – a development that highlights the volatile nature of cryptocurrency partnerships in European football.
Werner exit part of long-term plan
Ole Werner's tenure at RB Leipzig lasted just under two seasons. The club's management framed the decision as a forward-looking shift rather than a reaction to short-term results. Leipzig has been vocal about building sustained competitiveness in the Bundesliga and Champions League, and the change at the top is meant to align with that vision.
The timing, however, isn't great. The squad is in the middle of summer transfer preparations, and finding a new coach quickly will be a priority. No successor has been named yet, but the club is expected to move fast.
Kraken partnership under pressure
RB Leipzig's alliance with Kraken, a major crypto exchange, was announced last season with fanfare – jersey branding, matchday promotions, and a promise of fan token integrations. But the deal is now showing cracks. The partnership is described as "facing turbulence," a phrase that sources say reflects both market volatility and internal disagreements on the deal's future.
The relationship underscores a broader pattern: football clubs that rushed into crypto sponsorships during the bull market are now reassessing as prices swing and regulatory scrutiny tightens. Leipzig is far from alone, but the timing alongside the coaching shakeup amplifies the sense of instability around the club.
What happens next
The search for a new head coach is underway, with Leipzig's sporting directors expected to present candidates within days. On the commercial side, the Kraken deal's fate remains uncertain – renegotiation, a quiet wind-down, or even an early termination are all possible outcomes. The club has not issued a formal statement on the sponsorship's status beyond acknowledging the turbulence.
For now, Leipzig faces two parallel transitions: one on the pitch, one in the boardroom. How smoothly either goes will define the club's trajectory heading into the 2026-27 season.
