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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
George Flood

Chelsea: Oliver Mintzlaff staying at RB Leipzig in latest blow during sporting director search

Oliver Mintzlaff has reiterated his commitment to RB Leipzig amid rumours concerning a potential move to Chelsea.

The Blues are on the hunt for a new permanent sporting director, with co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly having been temporarily filling the role following the summer departures of Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech.

Christoph Freund had emerged as the front-runner for the post, although announced on Tuesday that he would be remaining at Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.

That will lead Chelsea to move onto other targets, having already been snubbed this summer by former Liverpool transfer guru Michael Edwards, with recent reports stating that they have explored the possibility of hiring Leipzig chief executive Mintzlaff.

Oliver Mintzlaff wants to continue his project at RB Leipzig amid Chelsea links (Getty Images)

Boehly is said to be a particular fan of the system developed by Red Bull and wants to establish a similar networks of clubs.

However, Mintzlaff has now publicly confirmed that he will be staying at Leipzig, where he is happy and remains under contract for another four years as he plots further ambitious steps with the Bundesliga outfit in future.

“I’m under contract with Leipzig until 2026, I will fulfil my contract here with great pleasure,” the German told Sky Sport.

“We still have a lot of plans. Not only on the pitch. I feel comfortable here at Leipzig.”

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