Marcel Sabitzer on whether he’ll follow Nagelsmann to Tottenham

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:44 CDT
• 2 min read

RB Leipzig star Marcel Sabitzer admits he doesn’t know the plans of head coach Julian Nagelsmann with regards to links to the Tottenham job.

Last week, the Daily Telegraph reported that Nagelsmann was top of the list of candidates to replaces current Spurs boss Jose Mourinho should the club decide to part ways with the Portuguese.

Though Tottenham have naturally not confirmed or denied the reports, questions have already started to be put to figures at RB Leipzig, including Sabizter.

The Austrian has a contract with the Bundesliga outfit until the summer of 2022, and was asked whether he would be keen to join Nagelsmann at Tottenham if his current head coach did indeed leave.

“I don’t know what Julian is up to,” Sabizter replied to Bild.

“And I have to say: I have a contract until 2022, and not just until summer. It has become fashionable to ask the question on the future as soon as a player is in the last 18 months of their contract.

“But that doesn’t mean that everything has to be decided at that moment.”

Most RB Leipzig appearances of all time

Sabitzer did suggest a transfer away from RB Leipzig was in his future plans, though, saying he doesn’t need to stay with the club for his full career.

“RB is not an unspectacular club,” he added. “There are realistic chances of winning a title here, and there are people at work who really want to win something.

“That’s why Leipzig are already one of the great clubs. But RB doesn’t have to be the only great club in my life. I’m only 26.

“When a contract [is about to] expire and is to be extended, the question always arises: Will the two parties come together? But the salary is not my main focus right now.

“I’m well enough already, I don’t have to worry my head every day.

“I don’t play football to build a money store after my career, I play for success. I’ve always been a winner and I want to hold trophies.”

Sabitzer has emerged as one of RB Leipzig’s key players over the years and vital to their burgeoning reputation as potential title contenders within the Bundesliga.

In the 2020/21 campaign he has started 24 matches for Nagelsmann’s side, scoring six goals and laying on six assists in all competitions.