Back
18.03.2020Bayer 04

Rolfes: What motivates the players most

The news around the issue of coronavirus changes almost every hour. Simon Rolfes, Bayer 04 sporting director, provides an insight into the current situation at the Werkself with head coach Peter Bosz and his team today (Wednesday) setting out individual training regimes for use at home on this Wednesday morning. Simon Rolfes on…
crop_20200201_schueler_rolfes_091.jpg

…the situation at the Werkself: The situation isn’t easy for anybody involved. This morning we gave the players the latest information and advice of how to act in the next few weeks.

…the arrangements made: Everybody's health comes first. That's why there have been political measures relating to how we behave. We all have to adhere to that. And our medical director Dr Dittmar made that clear to the squad again today.

…the concerns of the first team players: The biggest worry is about health and not just of the players themselves but also the welfare of their families. That's what motivates the players most at the moment.

…the individual training regimes: Today, we gave all the players home training plans. Our coaching staff have worked these out in the past two weeks to be ready for this particular scenario. We are confident we will be well prepared in the event the Bundesliga and the other competitions get going again at some point.

…the loss of income from matchdays: At the moment, it's impossible to predict the scale of losses for the clubs. Of course, we have to react if the financial state of Bundesliga clubs are under threat and take appropriate measures at the earliest possible moment. But it's still too early for that at the moment.

…a possible abandonment of the Bundesliga season: I find it very difficult to imagine that scenario at the moment. If the health situation stabilises and the external circumstances allow it then it is in everybody's interest to complete the competitions in as proper a manner as possible. The postponement of the European Championship gives us more room for manoeuvre.

Related News

Teamfoto Deutschland U19
Youth - 12.07.2026

U19 European Championship in Wales: Germany, with Culbreath and Onyeka, lose out in final

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.

Show more
Kenan Doganay mit Simon Rolfes und Kim Falkenberg
Youth - 09.07.2026

Bayer 04 sign France U17 international Kenan Doganay

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed France U17 international Kenan Doganay. The 1.90-metre-tall defensive midfielder, who has Turkish roots, joins Leverkusen from the U19s at French top-flight club Olympique Lyon. He will initially train with and play for the U19 team.

Show more
Bayer 04-Logo
Bayer 04 - 09.07.2026

DFB Sports Tribunal imposes fine on Bayer 04

The Sports Tribunal of the German Football Association (DFB) has fined Bayer 04 Leverkusen €185,000 for spectators setting off pyrotechnic devices during a total of five competitive matches. This relates to four Bundesliga matches and the DFB Pokal semi-final against Bayern Munich. The highest individual fine relates to the away match at FC Köln at the end of April.

Show more
Simeon Rapsch mit Kim Falkenberg (r.) und Bernd Korzynietz
Bayer 04 - 09.07.2026

Bayer 04 agree long-term deal with keeper Simeon Rapsch

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contract with U19 goalkeeper Simeon Rapsch. The Germany youth international goalkeeper has signed a long-term contract with the Werkself running to 30 June 2029. The 18-year-old joined Leverkusen from FC Viktoria Köln in the summer of 2024.

Show more