RB Leipzig have announced the appointment of former Argentina international Martin Demichelis as their new head coach, following the departure of Ole Werner.

The Bundesliga club dismissed Werner last week, despite his only campaign at the helm resulting in a third-place finish and Champions League qualification.

Leipzig did finish 24 points behind champions Bayern Munich, though, while they also lost to Vincent Kompany's men in the DFB-Pokal final.

And the club have turned to Demichelis, who played in Germany with Bayern as well as representing River Plate, Manchester City, Malaga, Espanyol and Atletico Madrid during a near-20-year playing career, as Werner's successor.

Demichelis' first coaching role was with Bayern's reserve side from 2021 to 2022, before he returned to his native Argentina with River Plate and led them to a Primera División title in 2023.

After one year with Mexican club Monterrey, he returned to Europe with Mallorca in March, though he was unable to prevent their relegation from LaLiga.

But now, rather than managing in the Spanish second tier, Demichelis will lead Leipzig against Europe's elite in 2026-27.

"I was won over by my discussions with the club and its sporting vision. RB Leipzig are an ambitious club with a clear identity, outstanding talent and a determination to keep improving at the highest level," he told the club's website.

"I have enormous respect for the work that has been done here. I want to build on those foundations and take the next steps together with the team. 

"I want to create a side that plays bold, intense and exciting football, takes responsibility on the pitch and inspires the people of Leipzig with its passion.

"I'm also really looking forward to leading RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Testing ourselves against Europe's best is an incredible challenge and exactly where a club with RB Leipzig's ambition and quality belongs."