Werner Wenning, chairman of the Bayer 04 shareholders committee, sees the signing of the new contract by the World Cup and European Championship winner as “an impressive sign for our club. Xabi Alonso stabilised the team in a difficult phase and put us back on track. Now we want to take the next steps in the development of our team with confidence, in unison and with the necessary focus.”
Fernando Carro, CEO: “The meticulous, analytical and self-assured approach from Xabi is really good for us as Bayer 04. At the same time, he has an outstanding environment here with us and in the Bundesliga where he can further build his profile as a still young coach. Both sides are very ambitious. the mutual commitment to each other also contains the clear target of achieving something for this club together.”
Sporting managing director Simon Rolfes: “Bringing in Xabi last October did attract a lot of approval but also scepticism at the same time. We were in a difficult situation and saw in Xabi a world star but also an inexperienced coach who had not yet been in charge of a top team. Nevertheless, I was convinced of his ability from the start and Xabi was convinced of the quality of our squad. We overcame resistance together and created the best of all perspectives for Bayer 04. The current contract extension is an expression of great appreciation and mutual trust.”
The Spanish coach underlined the good relationship: “I’m very grateful for the confidence Bayer 04 have shown in me. The fact we are convinced of the same ideas and direction on the pitch, creates close affinity and confidence between the club management and myself,” said Xabi Alonso. “There is also a very good and relaxed working basis day-to-day. That too makes working with my staff and all Bayer 04 employees great fun. I see last season as a positive. But I want more, exactly as the club does. We are now working on that with ambition.”
The date for the Bayer 04 Women's DFB Pokal Round of 16 tie has been set. As announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Wednesday, the Leverkusen Women will play league rivals Hamburger SV on Sunday, 16 November at 15:00 CET.
Show moreA great honour for Eliesse Ben Seghir: The Italian sports newspaper Tuttosport has published the final shortlist of 25 nominees for this year's Golden Boy award - including Werkself player Eliesse Ben Seghir. The award will be presented in November.
Show moreThey narrowly missed out on the title in the spring of this year as they enjoyed their most successful season to date under the Bayer Cross. Now they want to build on that success. In an interview ahead of today's start of the new season in the VBL Club Championship by WOW (live on the Bayer 04 app from 18:00 CEST), the two Bayer 04 eSports players and cousins Marc and Sean Landwehr talk about the organisational changes to the VBL CC and their everyday lives as professional gamers and they also give pro tips for the new EA FC 26.
Show moreA Black and Red player in the U20 World Cup final in Chile. Alejo Sarco and Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 in the semi-final on Wednesday night. Morocco, who knocked out France, now await in the final on Sunday night.
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