RB Leipzig sacks head coach Domenico Tedesco

BERLIN - RB Leipzig reacted quickly to a 4-1 home defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk and dismissed head coach Domenico Tedesco with immediate effect, the Bundesliga side confirmed on Wednesday.

After a run of two hammering defeats, the Red Bulls parted ways with the 36-year-old head coach and his assistants Andreas Hinkel and Max Urwantschky.

"The decision to release Domenico Tedesco was a very difficult one for us. However, after the moderate start into the Bundesliga season with five points from five games, especially after the most recent games at Eintracht Frankfurt and at home against Shakhtar Donetsk, we lacked the conviction that an immediate turnaround could take place in the current constellation," said sporting director Oliver Mintzlaff.

Tedesco joined Leipzig in December 2021 with the club seven points adrift of the UEFA Champions League spots. His arrival gave the team an impetus and helped Leipzig qualify for the Champions League. He also has a large share of the most successful season in Leipzig's history, after leading the club to their first major title, winning the German Cup after a 4-2 win on penalties over Freiburg in the final.

"We had a very successful second half of the season with Domenico last season. We owe him and his coaching team a big thank you for that. Domenico is an excellent coach who will certainly continue to be successful," said Mintzlaff.

Leipzig hosts in-form Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday before the Red Bulls travel to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.