Back
1.12.2021Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month: Heiko Herrlich

Heiko Herrlich is born in Mannheim on 3 December 1971. He joins Bayer 04 as an 18-year-old in 1989. In his four years under the Bayer Cross, he plays 75 Bundesliga games and scores six goals.

After winning the DFB Cup in 1993, Heiko moves on to Borussia Mönchengladbach because competition with Andreas Thom and, above all, Ulf Kirsten for the centre forward position at Leverkusen is simply too big.

In his second season at Gladbach, he is the top scorer in the Bundesliga with 20 goals alongside Werder Bremen's Mario Basler. He celebrates his biggest achievements on the pitch at Borussia Dortmund. He is twice champion of Germany and goes on to win the Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup.

crop_19910831_Heiko_Herrlich.jpg

After ending his playing career, Heiko gains his coaching badges with the DFB in 2005 and first works at the youth section at Borussia Dortmund. After other coaching positions, he ends up with the Werkself in July 2017 and alongside Theo Kirchberg, Friedhelm Renno, Gerd Kentschke, Jürgen Gelsdorf, Peter Hermann, Rudi Völler, Thomas Hörster and Sami Hyypiä, he is one of nine Bayer 04 coaches who also played for the club. My former teammate is now 50. Happy birthday, Heiko.

The video contains match action from his time with us.

Related News

Dieter Bast wird 75 | Geburtstagskind des Monats August I
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Birthday Boy of the Month 1: Dieter Bast turns 75

Dieter Bast was born in Oberhausen on 28 August 1951. He began playing football in the youth team at DJK Arminia Klosterhardt, a local club in Oberhausen. Whilst training as a toolmaker, he moved to neighbouring club Sterkrade 06/07 to play for their U19s, where he caught the eye of Bundesliga sides Rot-Weiss Essen and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bast opted for Rot-Weiss and played in the Bundesliga from 1970 onwards. In his very first year, he made 22 appearances as a right winger, scoring three goals. Nevertheless, Essen were unable to avoid relegation.

Show more
Roque Júnior wird 50 | Geburtstagskind des Monats August II
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Birthday Boy of the Month 2: Roque Júnior turns 50

José Vítor Roque Júnior was born on 31 August 1976 in Santa Rita do Sapucaí, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. As a youth, he played for São José EC, a club in the east of the state of São Paulo. His professional career began in 1995 with Palmeiras São Paulo. There, Roque Júnior quickly established himself as a key player in the team, making more than 200 appearances and enjoying significant success. With the club, he won the Copa do Brasil in 1998 and the Copa Libertadores in 1999, the South American equivalent of the European Champions League.

Show more
Von Pohjanpalo bis Ökland | Tore des Monats August
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Goals of the month: From Pohjanpalo to Ökland

In this video you can see impressive and important goals in the history of Bayer 04 from the month of August. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.

Show more
crop_19510819_Fredy_Mutz_1.jpg
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

From the archives: 75 years ago – The Bayer Lion triumphs over the Essen tomcat

The Werkself play their first top-flight match in Bayer 04’s history away at Sportfreunde Katernberg. 7,000 spectators turn up at the Am Lindenbruch stadium in that district of Essen. The Katernbergers have transformed the once ‘barren’ pitch into a real gem. On this Sunday afternoon, 19 August 1951, the lush turf provides the perfect conditions for a good game of football.

Show more
Vor 25 Jahren – Die Vize-Triple-Saison 2001/02 | Geschichte des Monats August II
Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

History: 25 years ago – The 2001/02 treble runners-up season (August)

Following a thoroughly successful start with a 2–1 home win against VfL Wolfsburg, the Werkself are organising a team event. On Wednesdays, they head to the Nürburgring together and do a few laps at speed. Manager Klaus Toppmöller welcomes this initiative, as it promotes team spirit and integration. During weekly training sessions, the team works extensively on various defensive tactics, as the manager was dissatisfied with his players’ pressing in the final minutes of the match against the Wolves.

Show more