Carro and Rolfes' year-end interview: 'A new beginning – and promising prospects'

Fernando, Simon, viewed from outside, the past summer at Bayer 04 was often described as an ‘upheaval’. Does this term also apply to your review of the year?

Rolfes: ‘New beginning’ is the best way to describe it, in my opinion. The changes in the team were certainly a little more significant this summer. But that's quite normal every four or five years. The team has entered a new cycle – and a very promising one at that.

Carro: I also really like ‘new beginning’ – I couldn't agree more with Simon. It was a lot of work in the summer, but we benefited from the good processes we've built up over many years. This applies to all areas involved in putting together a squad.

When you look back on the year, what are the lasting moments and emotions?

Carro: The cup match in Bielefeld was a negative experience, which still annoys me to this day. But overall there were many wonderful, positive moments again. The home match against Bayern (0-0 in February with no shots on goal from Munich - Ed.), where we were vastly superior but unfortunately didn't win. Or, more recently this season, the wins in Lisbon and Manchester, the cup victory in Dortmund and the derby win.

Rolfes: Those games spring to mind of course. But above all, I remember the moments when the team increasingly started to gel. The first appearances of the young new players, who adapted extremely quickly, even in big games like against City. We made a number of changes in the summer and we can already see that a lot of things are coming together. I find this development very exciting and it motivates me enormously. And it's far from over yet.

2024 was the most successful year in the club's history. Now we're coming to the end of the next calendar year. Outside observers often predicted that the ‘year after’ would be difficult. To what extent has the club still confirmed its high ambitions?

Carro: We're finishing this year in eighth in the UEFA rankings (ahead of Barcelona and Arsenal, among others - Ed.), which is a clear sign. Last season, we finished second in the league and earned a lot of respect from our competitors. With the  Bayern's resources compared to ours, it's not easy to regularly upset them. But our ambitions remain very high and we're confident and determined to make life difficult for Bayern again in the coming years.

Rolfes: This development makes us more attractive to players of very high quality and great potential. Players we signed this summer would not have come to us three or four years ago. Our environment is family-like and characterised by a high level of trust, but it is always linked to clear performance expectations. We want to be successful and compete for trophies. The rapid rise to eighth place in the UEFA rankings, as Fernando just mentioned, is unique in Europe in my opinion.

In terms of global recognition and presence, Bayer 04 has once again made progress this year, partly thanks to its training centre in Brazil. How do you think the club is perceived abroad?

Carro: We've never had such a strong international presence. These trips and our various projects in individual target markets are important for our global reputation, but also for the international standing of the Bundesliga as a whole. However, sporting success remains the decisive factor, it is the core. The more successful we are, the greater the international attention we receive. And our style of football has inspired many people in recent years. Martin's dream goal (Terrier - Ed.) in the derby, for example, was shown repeatedly in all the Spanish media; scenes like this involving our team are seen around the world.

Of course, our local fans remain the foundation, the core.

Rolfes (looking out over the BayArena): When I think back on the moments we've shared here at the stadium over the years, I get goosebumps. I started here as a player in 2005 – the development since then has been fantastic. Our fans have played a big part in the winning mentality that has grown here and is now evident everywhere.

The BayArena is and will remain our home, but other factors are changing - due for example, to the motorway expansion. What significance does the planned Bayer 04 Campus in Monheim have, and what steps are important in this context in the coming year?

Carro: This is one of, if not the most important future project for the club. We're in close contact with all parties involved at every stage, and we will continue to be in the future.

Rolfes: The campus is hugely important for the club's sporting development. We're already operating at the highest European level in many areas, but certainly not when it comes to infrastructure. Other clubs are investing heavily in this area – we need to do the same. We'll only be able to remain one of Europe's top clubs in the long term by making targeted investments in infrastructure.

Back to the sporting here and now: early in the season, you made a clear decision by hiring coach Kasper Hjulmand. He got straight down to work. How did he manage to shape the newly-assembled team with such a tight schedule of matches?

Rolfes: Kasper inherited a very effective coaching team. We'd also known each other personally for a long time. Both of these factors helped us. He quickly established clarity on the pitch. Interpersonal skills are also one of his great strengths, as he has a very good understanding of the players and communicates extensively with everyone.

Carro: He fits in very well here. Kasper is good for us. He's focused, intelligent and approachable. He also has a lot of experience and knows what he wants. His idea of football fits perfectly with our philosophy.

Players such as Maza, Poku and Kofane, who were signed in the summer as promising talents, are now regulars. What were the considerations when signing them?

Rolfes: First of all, the players must fit in with our game plan, so their character is crucial for us. We build trust with them, but at the same time we push them so we can achieve big goals together. With this mix, young players can develop quickly. Our aim is not just to have a good team, but to build another outstanding team. Even the championship-winning team didn't come together overnight – success is an ongoing process in which many people are involved and bear responsibility.

Looking ahead to 2026 and the winter transfer window, do you see any areas where you would like to make adjustments?

Rolfes: You only make adjustments if you believe you no longer have sufficient potential internally. It's clear that our squad is not yet fully up to speed after the many changes. However, players like Ibo (Maza - Ed.) have shown in recent weeks how quickly they can make great strides. The team is still a work in progress, and we have to give the players room to develop. We can achieve much more with the players we have, I'm convinced of that. At the same time, we would never resist things that make sense and improve our quality. But the question is always: can we sign a player who represents an improvement at our level? That's not so easy in the winter.

We're still in all three competitions, and the World Cup is coming up in the summer. What are you looking forward to next year?

Rolfes: The first six months of ‘getting to know each other’ are behind us. Now it's time to push the team to its performance limits and really be successful. As I said, we're extremely motivated. Our ambitions and drive will remain high in the new year.

Carro: I would be delighted to see us in a cup final in Berlin. And exciting play-offs, round of 16 matches or more in the Champions League. And to finish the Bundesliga in the top four. Those are our goals.

But for now, you too can enjoy what is probably the quietest period of the year in our business. What do your days look like until things pick up again in early January?

Rolfes: We spend Christmas in the traditional way with the family. After that, I'm going to Paris with my youngest daughter. I've done that with my other daughters too..

Carro: Things get a little busier for us at Christmas. On Christmas Day, we have a total of 26 people from our families in Barcelona and Madrid staying with us at home – and we have no idea how we're going to arrange the seating. (laughs) The other days are a little quieter, with ‘only’ 18 or 19 people. Spending time together will definitely do us good, as we have a lot planned for the new year.