Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04, honoured Nowotny by the side of the pitch shortly before kick-off in the first 2024/25 Bundesliga encounter at the BayArena and handed an honorary captain's pennant to the likeable ex-defender.
Nowotny, who played under the Cross from 1996 to 2006, spoke of his new role as honorary captain at the end of the last double season as news that "makes me very proud. My time at Bayer 04 Leverkusen was very formative for me, it was the most successful period of my life as a professional." The 50-year-old continued: "Back then, we were able to establish the club at the top of German football and also on the European football map. I'm particularly pleased that the honour coincides with the club's greatest success, winning the 2024 Bundesliga title."
As assistant coach of the German U17 side, Nowotny became a world champion in Indonesia in December 2023. The 48-year-old still demonstrates his close association with the Werkself today with regular outings for the Bayer 04 legends team.
Bayer 04's honorary captains are: Rüdiger Vollborn, Bernd Schneider, Ulf Kirsten, Carsten Ramelow, Simon Rolfes, Stefan Kießling, Lars Bender, Jens Nowotny (since August 2024).
A strong and successful partnership that will be continued: Bayer 04 and Energieversorgung Leverkusen GmbH & Co. KG (EVL) have extended their contract for energy supply and related services until 30 June 2027. As part of this, EVL will continue to hold the naming rights to the family section at the BayArena.
Show moreIt all kicks off in around a week and a half! The new season of the VBL Club Championship by WOW starts on 16 October. And before the Leverkusen eSports players Marc and Sean Landwehr plus Markus Hüttemann and Keanu Senkbeil compete on the console again, bayer04.de provides an overview of the structural changes for the upcoming eSports season. The changes affect both the match procedure in individual fixtures and the entire competition mode.
Show moreAt the Werkself's Bundesliga game at home to Union Berlin last Saturday, it wasn't just sporting emotions that took centre stage. To mark International Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Bayer 04 Women's team, together with their sleeve sponsor s2-Software, sent out a strong message at the BayArena in support of education, prevention and solidarity in the fight against breast cancer.
Show moreBayer 04 Women's Bundesliga derby at 1. FC Köln was abandoned on Sunday due to a fault floodlight mast at the Franz-Kremer-Stadion. With the score at 1-0 to the hosts, one of the four flood lamps went out in the 35th minute and couldn't be repaired. Sandra Jessen had put FC in front after just 26 seconds.
Show moreBayer 04 Women face Bundesliga newcomers Hamburger SV in the DFB Pokal round of 16, following the draw on Sunday afternoon. The tie will take place between 15 and 17 November, with the exact date still to be confirmed.
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