Bayer 04 remembers Willi Lemke

Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer 04: "Willi Lemke was a great servant to Werder Bremen. During his time in charge, the club celebrated notable successes, including the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup. Beyond Bremen, too, German football owes a lot to Willi Lemke and his decades of work. On behalf of our whole club, I'd like to express our deepest sympathy to all his friends and family."

Simon Rolfes, Bayer 04's managing director for sport, played for Werder Bremen in the early 2000s, knew Lemke well from his time in the Hanseatic City and regarded him highly. "This news saddens me," said Rolfes. "Willi Lemke did tremendous work for Werder Bremen. He was a great person who always had an open ear for players, staff and fans. With his clear opinion and his work outside football, he also had a big social impact. My thoughts are with his family and friends."

Thomas Eichin, director of professional teams at 04, who also spent three years at Werder Bremen as managing director for sport, was shocked by the news: "Willi Lemke was Werder Bremen through and through. He was a fascinating personality. His work for the club was unrivalled."

Lemke worked as general manager of SV Werder Bremen between 1981 and 1999. During his reign, the club celebrated its greatest sporting success to date - winning the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup - as well as the Bundesliga title in 1988 and the DFB Cup wins in 1991 and 1994.

After the end of his involvement in the operational business of SVW, Lemke returned to politics in 1999, initially serving as Bremen's senator for education and science (1999-2007) and then as senator for interior and sport (2007-2008). He remained loyal to Werder and was on the supervisory board for a total of 17 years.