
"Tim Steidten has consistently proved himself in an extremely demanding field over a long period of time," declared Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes. "He has had a strong influence on the impressive development and success of Werder in recent years and he made a significant contribution. I've known Tim for a long time and we are happy we have been able to bring him into such an important role as squad planner," said Rolfes.
Steidten started his career as youth head scout with the Werder Bremen U8s before working on analysis for the Werder senior squad and then being promoted to the role as head scout. When the sporting director Rouven Schröder announced he was leaving to join Mainz 05 in February 2016, Steidten filled the post. Alongside managing director Frank Baumann, Steidten acted as his right hand man. Together they completed transfers such as Serge Gnabry from Arsenal and the Dutchman Davy Klaassen from Everton to Werder Bremen.

Newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg will begin the 2026/27 season as Bundesliga club number 59. The Saarland club start their first Bundesliga campaign at home to the Werkself on Saturday, 29 August (kick-off 15:30 CEST) at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, which is currently being rebuilt. For one Leverkusen player in the ‘Elv’ line-up, the clash will be a special reunion. The lowdown on our next opponents.
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The fixture details for the Bayer 04 Women’s first match in the 2026/27 DFB Pokal has been confirmed: As announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday morning, the Leverkusen Women will face second-tier side FC Viktoria Berlin in the first round on Sunday 27 September at 14:00 CEST.
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Once again, well over 100 Werkself fans were delighted to receive an invitation from the club’s record appearance-maker, Rüdiger Vollborn, to the sold-out Schwadbud at the BayArena. This time, the supporters listened as the club historian provided fascinating, exclusive insights into the period from Bayer 04 being founded in 1904 to the club’s promotion to the Bundesliga in 1979. A journey through time is also planned for the upcoming ‘Rudi lädt ein’ event in early November – this time focusing on the years of the Nazi regime.
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Getting in the mood for the new season together, exchanging ideas and looking ahead to the coming months: Bayer 04 welcomed partners to the BayArena for the annual sponsors season-launch event. In a relaxed atmosphere, the management, head coach and players came together with representatives from partner companies to celebrate the start of the 2026/27 season.
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