Lehnhoff started his playing career in 1984 at FC Köln before moving to Belgium in 1987 where he proved to be very successful as a winger for FC Royal Antwerp – winning the Belgian cup competition in 1992 and in the following year reaching the final of the European Cup Winners Cup. And he is still very much revered in Antwerp many years later: On the 125th anniversary of the oldest football club in Belgium, he was voted the best player in the club's history.
Hans-Peter signed for Bayer 04 in 1994. The 57-year-old can look back at a turbulent time in a Werkself shirt: After narrowly avoiding relegation in 1996, he was twice runner-up in the next two seasons. Since retiring from the game – he does still occasionally play for the Bayer 04 Veterans – he has worked as the team liaison manager, the first in German professional football. In this role, he takes care of organisational matters involving the Werkself such as coordinating events and booking hotels.
Happy birthday, Hans-Peter Lehnhoff.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
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The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
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