Christoph Freund confirms he will remain as RB Salzburg sporting director despite Chelsea interest

Christoph Freund has confirmed he will stay at RB Salzburg as their sporting director despite interest from Chelsea.

Reports on Monday suggested Freund had verbally agreed to take up the same role at Chelsea and report to the ownership group spearheaded by American Todd Boehly.

Chelsea appointed Graham Potter as successor to Thomas Tuchel as head coach on September 8. Potter was said to have been consulted about Freund as well as Chelsea’s recruitment specialist Kyle Macaulay.

The Premier League club are keen on appointing a new sporting director after Boehly fulfilled the role in an interim capacity over the summer transfer window.

However their reported No. 1 target Freund, who has helped Salzburg bring in players such as Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane and Dayot Upamecano, has publicly committed his future to the Austrian Bundesliga club.

“As I have already confirmed in interviews, Chelsea FC was interested in me,” the 45-year-old said.

“When such a big club asks, it not only honours me and the work of FC Red Bull Salzburg, it is of course also a circumstance that entails personal considerations.

“But I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m in the best of hands with FC Red Bull Salzburg and that a change is out of the question for me.”

Salzburg CEO Stephan Reiter added: “Christoph Freund has been doing excellent work for us for many years and only recently extended his contract until 2026,” he said.

“I can hereby confirm that he will remain sporting director of FC Red Bull Salzburg.

“Of course, he informed me about Chelsea FC’s interest in him and we exchanged ideas on a personal level and in good conversations. The fact is that he will remain our sporting director!”