Back
21.12.2020U17

U17 coaches Hoepner and Zdebel agree new deal

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended the contracts with the two U17 coaches. Thomas Zdebel and Jan Hoepner have committed themselves to the club to 2023. The team they coach started the U17 Bundesliga West season with seven points from three games before the league fixtures were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
crop_20200917_JS_Training_U17_05352.jpg

“We’re very happy with the work of Jan Hoepner and Thomas Zdebel. Both with the individual work with the talents and with the development of the team,” said Thomas Eichin, head of the youth section at Bayer 04. “We have ambitious targets for the years ahead. And both will make valuable contributions.”
 
Jan Hoepner joined Bayer 04 in 2016. The 39-year-old was previously centre of excellence coordinator for the German Football Association (DFB) in the Middle Rhine region. Hoepner initially worked with Patrick Weiser in looking after the U17s and Thomas Zdebel arrived in the summer of 2019.
 
The former Poland international made 394 appearances for clubs in Germany (Rot-Weiss Essen, FC Köln, VfL Bochum, Bayer 04 (January to September 2010) and Alemannia Aachen), Belgium (Lierse SK) and Turkey (Genclerbirligi Ankara). The 47-year-old ended his playing career in 2011 and moved into coaching shortly after that. He started at SV Bergisch Gladbach. Zdebel was first the youth coach, then head of youth and, between 2015 and 2017, in charge of the senior team in the Middle Rhine League. He returned to Leverkusen in the summer of 2019 after a stint at TV Herkenrath.

Related News

Women lose to SGS Essen at home | 11th matchday
Werkself-TV - 22.11.2025

Women: TV highlights of 0-1 loss against SGS Essen

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against SGS Essen on the 11th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel beim VfL Wolfsburg | 11. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 21.11.2025

Hjulmand ahead of #WOBB04: Wolfsburg ‘better than their points tally suggests’

Following the international break, Bayer 04 are away to VfL Wolfsburg on Bundesliga matchday 11 in 2025/26, on Saturday, 22 November (kick-off: 15:30 CET) in the first of eight matches between now and Christmas. Ahead of the game at the Volkswagen Arena, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the Wolves, the reunion with some familiar faces and the latest updates on his own squad.

Show more
Christian Eriksen und Co.
Bundesliga - 21.11.2025

Our next opponents: VfL Wolfsburg press reset button

VfL Wolfsburg are looking for a fresh start after parting company with head coach Paul Simonis and sporting director Sebastian Schindzielorz during the recent international break. The Wolves are looking to kick off their revival this Saturday, 22 November (kick-off: 15:30 CET), in the home game against the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Dieter Herzog
Bayer 04 - 20.11.2025

Bayer 04 mourns the passing of Dieter Herzog

His loss has left Bayer 04 deeply saddened: Dieter Herzog, World Cup winner in 1974 and seven years playing for Bayer 04, passed away this week at the age of 79.

Show more
Schnappschuss im Training
Women - 20.11.2025

‘Establish ourselves in the chasing pack’: Women welcome SGS Essen

A week after the disappointing DFB Pokal exit at Hamburger SV, the Bayer 04 Women return to league action. In a home match against SGS Essen on Saturday, 22 November (kick-off: 14:00 CET at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium), coach Roberto Pätzold's team will be fighting to maintain a good position in the chasing pack in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.

Show more