Back
12.10.2020Bayer 04

News in brief: Völler in German football Hall of Fame

Sporting managing director Rudi Völler plus a former coach and former player of Bayer 04 have been inducted into the illustrious circle of the Hall of Fame personalities, Florian Wirtz has been presented with the Fritz Walter medal, and Fabian Otto (director of finance and personnel at Bayer 04) and Co. have started work on the ‘Task force for the future of professional football’: Monday’s news in brief.
crop_imago0046706378h.jpg

Lothar Matthäus, Franz Beckenbauer, Uwe Seeler and Co. – the really big names are in the Hall of Fame at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. Five new members were added a few days ago: German sports journalists have voted in Rudi Völler, Michael Ballack, Berti Vogts, Andreas Möller and Klaus Fischer. Völler was clearly extremely happy to receive this nomination: “It’s a great thing. Being counted amongst the inner circle of these wonderful and first-class players makes me proud and it’s not a given.”

The 60-year-old (90 international caps/46 goals) clocked up 62 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen during his playing career, Ballack (98/42) played a total of 114 times for the Werkself in Germany’s top flight. And Vogts also has a black and red past: He coached the Werkself for five months from November 2000.

Wirtz receives Fritz Walter medal

The DFB announced the decision in the middle of August but Florian Wirtz finally had it in his hands at the weekend: The Leverkusen player was presented with his gold Fritz Walter medal in the U17 category by Ronny Zimmermann, DFB vice-president for youth football. “Winning this medal has been a big target for me for a long time. That’s why it means a lot to me to receive this award now,” said Wirtz on dfb.de.

crop_DSCF6049-2.jpg
Honoured in the U17 category: Bayer 04 player Florian Wirtz shows his gold Fritz Walter metal. Source: DFB

The 17-year-old along with teammate Lennart Grill is currently with the Germany U21 squad. The Germany team play Bosnia-Herzegovina in a Euro U21 qualifier Tuesday 13 October (18.15 CEST/live on ProSieben MAXX).

With Fabian Otto: Task force starts work

On Tuesday 13 October, the ‘Task force for the future of professional football’ is discussing the lessons from the Covid-19 crisis for the first time since the group’s formation. A total of 35 experts in the fields of sport, politics, research, business and media were appointed to the working party by the DFL executive committee. This includes Fabian Otto, director of finance and personnel at Bayer 04. “I’m looking forward to being able to play a positive role in these important discussions for professional football. I’m keen to see the character of the group and hear their wide range of views,” said Otto after being appointed in the middle of September.

25_Football_90001_BuLi-Start-Clubs_DCM-P_814_1509_300x250.jpg

Related News

crop_imago1070779211.jpg
Bayer 04 - 10.01.2026

AFCON blog: Ben Seghir reaches semi-finals

Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...

Show more
Bayer 04 x Crown Coins
Business - 10.01.2026

Digital platform Crown Coins becomes new partner in Bayer 04 Sponsors Club

Bayer 04 Leverkusen has gained a new partner in digital gaming platform Crown Coins, which joins the Bundesliga runners-up's Sponsors Club with immediate effect. The one-and-a-half-year contract runs until 30 June 2027.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04VfB
Bundesliga - 10.01.2026

Matchday News #B04VfB: New stoppage time display for third straight Saturday primetime clash

The Werkself host VfB Stuttgart this evening (10 January, 18:30 CET), a side whose recent Bundesliga form has been indifferent but who have regularly produced top performances in the DFB Pokal and UEFA Europa League, and who have a key player back in the squad in striker Ermedin Demirovic. Off the pitch, the BayArena faithful will be able to see the remaining stoppage time live on the video screens. The Matchday News.

Show more
Retro-Kollektion
Fans - 10.01.2026

On sale now: The Retro Collection 1992/93

Attention, Bayer 04 fans! From now you can get your hands on cool items from the brand new Retro Collection 1992/93. These include a shirt, a zip jacket, hats, scarves and much more. The products are available from both the Fanwelt and the Bayer 04 online shop.

Show more