The 45-year-old has canceled the major English football club and remains sports director of Austria’s series champion Red Bull Salzburg. This was announced by Freund in a club press release on Tuesday evening. One of the most important master builders in the Salzburg success story is staying on board.
Freund has been working in various positions for RB Salzburg since 2006, since 2015 as sporting director with a contract until the end of June 2026. The international successes of Salzburg and their lucrative strategy of recruiting, training and selling talent have brought Chelsea’s new owners Todd Boehly on made the Salzburger aware. On Tuesday, however, Freund ended speculation about a possible departure.
“As I have already confirmed in interviews, Chelsea FC was interested in me. When such a big club asks, it not only honors me and the work of FC Red Bull Salzburg, it is of course also a circumstance that reflects personal considerations However, I’ve come to the conclusion that FC Red Bull Salzburg is the best place for me and that a change is out of the question for me,” said Freund.
He wants to continue to devote himself entirely to the national and international challenges with the Red Bulls. “We’re in the middle of a very intense phase and have important tasks to do in the Bundesliga, Cup and Champions League – that’s what my whole focus and concentration is on,” said the sporting director. Salzburg leads the Bundesliga and started the Champions League with flying colors with two 1-1 draws against Milan and Chelsea of all places.
Stephan Reiter was also pleased that his congenial partner remained at the top of the club. “Christoph Freund has been doing excellent work for us for many years and only recently extended his contract until 2026. I can hereby confirm that he will remain sporting director of FC Red Bull Salzburg,” explained the managing director. “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!” said Reiter.
Reiter also made it clear that “there was no request for a possible change” at Salzburg.
Source: Nachrichten
