"Our concept is working: Young players capable of developing get trust, playing time and responsibility. They can show what they can do at a very high level. The result this year is the Champions League," said Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes in commenting on the award.
The second and third places were taken by the two second division clubs Holstein Kiel (9,354 minutes; €1.28 million) and FC Magdeburg (8,273 minutes; €1.13 million). The payments reflect the number of minutes played by U23 players in the Local Player category. They must have been registered with a German club for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21. The promotion fund is made up of 2% of national media income (for the 2018/19 season that was more than €22 million). All the minutes played in professional league games by Local Players are taken into account up to the season of their 23rd birthday. Players from abroad must have been registered with the German Football Association (DFB) before their 19th birthday.
Falko Götz was appointed at the start of the week to look after talented youngsters in the transition between the youth teams and the first team. The 57-year-old played for the Werkself from 1984 to 1988 (115 appearances, 26 goals) and he won the UEFA Cup in his final season under the Bayer Cross. After ending his playing career in 1997, he started working as a coach in the youth section at Hertha Berlin before later training their pro squad. Most recently, the former East Germany international coached the former second division club FSV Frankfurt.
Italian teams are known for being strong in defence. The fact that Inter Milan, the next opponents for the Werkself in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 20.45 CET), have not conceded a single goal in their last five matches is impressive. Will the visitors' keeper Yann Sommer be able to keep a clean sheet at the BayArena against Florian Wirtz and Co.? The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Borussia Dortmund on Bundesliga Matchday 16. The game at the Signal Iduna Park on Friday, 10 January 2025, kicks off at 20.30 CET. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreTwo champions go head-to-head: The Werkself entertain Inter Milan at the BayArena on Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League. The game against the team from Lombardy is on Tuesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21.00 CET/live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio). Head coach Xabi Alonso and defender Edmond Tapsoba revealed their keen anticipation ahead of the top match against the Italian champions at the pre-match press conference. In addition, the duo talked about the strengths of the visitors and the difference from playing teams in the Bundesliga.
Show moreThe fact the team led by head coach Xabi Alonso have learned from the draws against Holstein Kiel, Werder Bremen, VfL Bochum and VfB Stuttgart was demonstrated by the 2-1 win for the Werkself against FC St. Pauli on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to the victory against Hamburg side, Bayer 04 are now unbeaten in the last eleven Bundesliga matches (six wins, five draws) – only Bayern Munich are on a longer run at the moment. All of the last three matches have ended in victory. The Werkself review.
Show moreWerkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04’s 2-1 win against FC St. Pauli on the 13th matchday of the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign…
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