Robert Kovac, are there times when you don't agree with your brother? Kovac: "Of course, there are times when we don't agree. But we talk about it and always end up agreeing."“
When you played together at Leverkusen you often shared a room for away matches. How do you remember your time at Bayer 04? Kovac: "Those years at Bayer 04 are amongst the best in my career as a footballer. Not just because I played alongside my brother for three years but also because there was a huge and positive change in mood after almost being relegated."
Tin Jedvaj made his international debut under you as national coach. How do you assess his potential and development?
Kovac: "The potential is definitely there and he's very talented but he still has to keep on working and developing his game. Personally, I see him more as a central defender than as a full-back."„
Since March you've been together at Eintracht Frankfurt who were involved in a relegation battle last season. Your first task as a coach in the Bundesliga could easily have been more straightforward, couldn't it?
Kovac: "Of course, we would have preferred the season to have run more smoothly. But it was a very big challenge that we mastered together."
What have you learned from the difficult and the successful times?
Kovac: "That we managed to stay up despite the enormous pressure – and that with the support of our fans, everyone around us and the whole region."
How do you rate Eintracht's chances this season?
Kovac: "I think our chances of securing top-flight status early on are better this season."
15 years have gone by – Will the match in Leverkusen still be special for you?
Kovac: "They’re always special games because I still know people from here and I'm always happy to catch up with them again."
What do Eintracht need to do to win?
Kovac: "Very good luck, a united team performance and the support of our fans."
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.
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Ken Izekor is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join third-tier side Alemannia Aachen with immediate effect. The 19-year-old centre-forward joined the club from Alemannia in 2018, and Izekor is now returning to his hometown.
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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.
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Bayer 04 have named Jorginho, a 1994 World Cup winner with Brazil, an official club legend. He is the second former Werkself player, after Paulo Sergio, to be accorded this special honour. For many years, the former Leverkusen defender has been deeply committed to helping people in need in his home city of Rio de Janeiro. More than 25 years ago, Jorginho launched the Bola pra Frente project, through which he uses the money he earned as a player – including during his time at Bayer 04 – to support children and young people in the favelas in particular. During a trip to Brazil lasting several days, Fernando Carro, CEO at Bayer 04, assured Jorginho of the club’s support for Bola pra Frente for at least another five years.
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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.
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