Schmidt is preparing to take up his new role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer at the beginning of October, but the former Bundesliga coach has already been involved in internal discussions at Leipzig.
According to Sport Bild, Schmidt has been consulted on decisions at the club despite not officially beginning his new position until early October.
The report says his view on Demichelis has been clear.
Schmidt has “explicitly advocated giving Demichelis his backing”, according to the publication, despite the pressure that has developed around the Argentine following Leipzig’s disappointing start.
The reported intervention comes at a significant point for Demichelis, who took charge of Leipzig with expectations that the club would continue to compete near the top of German football.
Schmidt’s support is also notable because of the increasingly prominent role he is expected to occupy within the wider Red Bull football structure.
The 59-year-old has previously coached in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz, as well as working abroad with clubs including PSV Eindhoven and Benfica. He has been appointed to oversee Red Bull’s global football operations and is due to formally begin the role in October.
His involvement with Leipzig before his official start has nevertheless fuelled speculation about his influence over the coaching situation.
Sport Bild has also rejected the idea that Schmidt is effectively operating as a “shadow coach” behind Demichelis.
The report says there is no basis for the suggestion that Schmidt is positioning himself to take control of the Leipzig team from behind the scenes.
Schmidt has also ruled out a return to the touchline at a Red Bull club, following the same broad path as former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who moved into Red Bull’s global football structure after leaving his coaching position.
That makes Schmidt’s reported support for Demichelis particularly relevant to the current situation.
Rather than preparing to replace the Argentine, Schmidt is said to have argued internally that Leipzig should continue to support their coach.
Demichelis has faced scrutiny after Leipzig’s early results failed to meet expectations, but Schmidt’s reported position suggests that the club's new global football leadership is not currently seeking an immediate change in the dugout.
The former Manchester City and River Plate defender is therefore set to remain under pressure to improve Leipzig’s results, while Schmidt prepares to begin his new responsibilities.
For now, the reported internal message from Schmidt is one of continuity rather than a change of coach.