Sporting managing director Rudi Völler, who will move on to the shareholders committee at Bayer 04 after the end of the season, said to Bild am Sonntag: "We are definitely finishing third. It's a great success given the difficult situation with lots of injuries. It's a great way to finish – for me too, of course."
Sporting director Simon Rolfes, who takes over the post of sporting managing director from Rudi Völler in the summer: "We've got a team with great potential and we had to be in the Champions League. Everybody has worked and battled hard for that. I'm very proud of each and every one!"
Head coach Gerardo Seoane, who has succeeded in qualifying for the Champions League in his first year as a head coach in the Bundesliga: "We are also very happy for Rudi that we are able to give him a worthy conclusion. We played in bottom gear in the first half. The second half was sensational. We were much more direct going forwards."
Captain Lukas Hradecky: "We've scored more than seventy goals and more than deserve to be in the Champions League. The mentality shown by the team today is impressive. There's something happening here. The captain is proud!"
Key defender Jonathan Tah, who has played under the Bayer Cross for seven years: "We're losing a lot of pressure. It was a season with highs and lows. But we've come through all of that as a team and today we deservedly won in the end."
In addition to former Leverkusen players like Benjamin Henrichs (now at RB Leipzig), Emrehan Gedikli (Trabzonspor) and Sami Hyypiä, Erik Meijer also shared praise via social media. The Dutchman played for the Werkself from 1996 to 1999 and is now working as a Champions League pundit for the pay-TV broadcaster Sky: "Congratulations to everybody. They really deserve it. Great attacking football that everyone wants to watch..."
There were also congratulations from TSV Bayer 04 and the Bayer Giants Leverkusen – and they got in the mood with the Champions League anthem that will again be heard at the BayArena next season: “The Champioooooons…” A similar approach was taken by Kickers Offenbach, who have had a friendship with Bayer 04 for over 40 years: "Congratulations on Champions League qualification and a great 4-2 away win #BayerundderOFC.“
Lucas Alario and Paulinho hit the nail on the head: "Target achieved." That also pleased youngster Iker Bravo: “Yesssssss! Great team, I'm so proud!” There was also recognition from Turkey: “Well done, lads,” praised Joel Pohjanpalo. And Moussa Diaby is already looking forwards: “Champions League – we’re coming!”
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
Show more
Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
Show more
The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
Show more
Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
Show more
The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
Show more
