Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.
He joined Bayer 04 in 1980 and also played for Germany at youth level. In 1982 he played in the final of the U16 European Championships where Germany lost 1-0 against Italy. He made a total of 25 youth international appearances and was a very big talent. The hard working and technically skilled midfielder signed his first professional contract at Bayer 04 in 1983 but mainly played for the Werkself reserve team. In the Rückrunde of the 1983/84 season he made his Bundesliga debut on matchday 23 coming on at Westfalenstadion in Dortmund on 83 minutes.
Manni played seven games in Germany's top flight and once in the DFB Pokal for the Werkself but was never in the starting line-up. In the summer he moved to Union Solingen in Bundesliga two where he made seven appearances before ending his career at the age of 22 due to a serious knee injury. He did play at amateur level for SSB 09 Bergisch Gladbach and Borussia Freialdenhoven. During this phase he started his second career, training youth teams at TuS Höhenhaus and Bergisch Gladbach and he successfully completed a football coach course at the German Sports University in Cologne in 1990.
After two brief periods as coach of the men's teams at SSG 09 Bergisch Gladbach (1990-1992) and Düren 99 (1993-1995) he moved on to the youth teams.
Today he works in our scouting section focusing on top talents.
Dear Manni, Happy 60th birthday! I wish you above all health and all the best. Have a good one.

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
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
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
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
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