#B04imSchwarzwald – Lehnhoff: ‘The best decision of my life’

Hans-Peter, do you know how many training camps you’ve been to now?

Lehnhoff: I can't say exactly but it's definitely lots and lots. (He laughs) In the past, we didn't just do the classic training camp in the summer. Earlier we used to fly away in the winter. Today the winter break is much too short for that. And then unfortunately there were one or the other training camps arranged because we were in real difficulties on the pitch.

Can you remember training camps with Bayer 04 as a player?

Lehnhoff: Yes, of course. When I signed for Leverkusen in 1994, Stepi (Dragoslav Stepanovic, ed) was the coach. Back then we usually went to the sports school in Barsinghausen for our training camps. You can't compare that to today in any respect. It was absolute torture for the coaching staff. (He laughs) The first run on an empty stomach was at 7:30 in the morning and then there were another two training sessions. It was hardly possible to recover. Of course, the size of the group was much smaller. We all fitted on one bus. And one or two beers were drunk on team evenings. The coaching staff made sure the next morning to organise a session straightaway to sweat everything out. (He laughs)

30 years at Bayer 04, half your life. What does this club mean to you?

Lehnhoff: Everything. Absolutely everything. It's love without a doubt. I came here in 1994 and thought I might stay for two or three years. But I liked it more and more here. After five years as a player the moment came where I had to decide what I should do next for me and my family. Before that I had been abroad for seven years (Royal Antwerp in Belgium, ed.) And during my time in Leverkusen my children got used to Germany again. I didn't want to tear them away again. Then I received the offer from Bayer 04 to take over the role as team manager.

Which you accepted. You've now been doing this job for 24 years.

Lehnhoff: Of course, I had to think about it at first because I was only 35 and still fit. In the end the offer made most sense even if I didn't fully understand what to expect. Christoph Daum was looking for somebody to look after the team. The concept of team manager was primarily a thing in Italy but it wasn't established in Germany back then. But today I can definitely say: This follow-up contract at Bayer 04 was the best decision of my life.

Looking at your 30 years at Bayer 04, how would you rate the moment of winning the German league title?

Lehnhoff (looking at a photo where he's holding the Meisterschale): It was the best thing ever for me. My wife cried, I cried. You can't describe it, you have to have experienced it. A brilliant picture. Great.

Do you have any remaining wishes?

Lehnhoff: Of course, you get a taste for it. (He laughs) But we're starting from the beginning again and everybody is going into the new season with a lot of humility. Now we are the ones being chased who have to overcome all hurdles. And, nevertheless, I'm confident the club can take the next step. It's really remarkable how the team and the coaches have started again at the training camp full of resolution, focus and concentration. I would have been happy to play for a team like that. I'm very happy and grateful to experience these times at Bayer 04.