Chelsea ‘held talks with Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer Oliver Mintzlaff’
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Chelsea ‘held talks with Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer Oliver Mintzlaff’ in their search for a sporting director before choosing RB Salzburg’s Christoph Freund… after American expressed a desire to copy the multi-club model
- Chelsea owner Todd Boehly leads a search for a new sporting director
- American has expressed its admiration for Red Bull’s multi-club model
- Blues close to appointment of Red Bull Salzburg sporting director Freund
- But they have also reportedly held talks with RB Leipzig chief Mintzlaff
- Both parties decided earlier this summer not to continue any further discussion
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Chelsea ‘held talks with Red Bull’s head of Global Soccer Oliver Mintzlaff’ as they searched for a sporting director, but Christoph Freund is the frontrunner for the role.
The American owner of the Blues, Todd Boehly, expressed his admiration for the Red Bull model of a network of clubs around the world and plans to establish something similar at Stamford Bridge.
And their pursuit of a sporting director to oversee this overhaul of the club saw them attempt to poach Red Bull’s key man.
Chelsea have reportedly held talks with Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer and RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff as they searched for a new sports director
Chelsea’s US Owner Todd Boehly Wants to Replicate Red Bull’s Multiclub Model
the athletic report that Chelsea have explored the possibility of hiring Mintzlaff, who is also CEO of Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.
A meeting with the 47-year-old was held earlier in the summer, but a break to take stock led both sides to agree not to continue the talks.
Mintzlaff, a former long-distance runner and head of sports marketing at Puma, joined Leipzig in 2014 and helped oversee their growth into a leading club in the Bundesliga.
In January 2015, he took on the position of Head of Global Soccer, replacing Gerard Houllier, gaining knowledge of the worldwide network of partner clubs that aims to imitate model Chelsea.
However, it looks like they will appoint Freund, the sporting director of Red Bull Salzburg, with whom Chelsea signed in the Champions League last week.
Christoph Freund (left) about to be hired as Chelsea sporting director by Todd Boehly
Erling Haaland was one of the outstanding talented excavated by Freund in Salzburg
The 45-year-old was responsible for the arrival of Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita to Salzburg and spotting his talent is a big part of the appeal.
Freund has made it clear that he wants to move to Stamford Bridge to take on the new challenge, having rejected offers to leave Salzburg in the past.
Asked about Chelsea’s interest last week, Freund said: “I’ve had exchanges with Chelsea from time to time.
‘We talked a lot more a month or two ago because they were interested in drawing’ [Benjamin] sesko.
“The new owners are interested in how we do things with young players, how we integrate them into the first team. Chelsea is a huge club in transition. I can’t say exactly what will happen in the coming weeks and months.’