Back
30.01.2020Bayer 04

Carro at SPOBIS: ‘Determined to play my part’

On Wednesday the sporting director Simon Rolfes,on Thursday the chairman of the board Fernando Carro: Bayer 04 again had top-class representation on the second and final day of SPOBIS 2020 at the Congress Center in the Düsseldorf trade fair.
crop_20200130_schueler_spobis_1053.jpg

The 55-year-old was on the main stage in the afternoon alongside Axel Hellmann (board member at Eintracht Frankfurt), Oliver Leki (board member at SC Freiburg) and Bernd Hoffmann (board member at Hamburger SV).

“Qualification for CL can only come via national leagues”

One of the key issues in the lively discussion with the Bundesliga bosses was the possible reform of the UEFA Champions League from 2024/25. For quite some time there has been talk and ideas, above all from Italy and Spain, about serious changes, at least in part. Carro: “You can talk about possible changes within the current structure in a number of areas and discuss it rationally but one thing has to be clear: Qualification for the Champions League can only come via national leagues.” A position that not only finds unanimity amongst those present at the conference but also with the whole of the DFL at the moment.

The chairman of the board at Bayer 04 has been a member of the UEFA Club Competitions Committee since September of last year. The committee reports to the executive committee and plays an important role in terms of the organisation of the European club competitions as well as the distribution of income from TV rights. The possible reform of the Champions League from 2024 is seen as one of the most important tasks facing the sports business. Carro is determined to speak out in a constructive manner for the Bundesliga: “We will have to see what is appropriate given the very different approaches and act responsibly to achieve a good result. A very complex task that I am looking forward to, nevertheless, and I’m determined to play my part.”

Rolfes in discussion with Klopp agent Kosicke

Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes was on the stage yesterday. The 38-year-old was initially a guest at the ‘kicker meets DAZN’ podcast with the presenters Benni Zander and Alex Schlüter (to be broadcast on Monday). Rolfes was then involved in a discussion with Marc Kosicke, Jürgen Klopp’s agent, and others, on the relationship between players, agents and clubs.

Related News

VBL CC Final 2026
eSports - 07.03.2026

#B04eSports: Leverkusen in quarter-finals after beating HSV

The #B04 eSports team made a successful start to the 2025/26 VBL Club Championship finals. Marc and Sean Landwehr defeated the hosts of the event, Hamburger SV, in the Round of 16. The quarter-final in the German club championship will be played on Sunday, 8 March at 14:00 CET against SC Freiburg, who finished top of the table in the league phase.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #SCFB04
Bundesliga - 07.03.2026

Matchday news #SCFB04: Conquer fortress Freiburg to maintain gap

Freiburg’s defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend left them two places but a whole 10 points behind Bayer 04. Their results in general may be mixed, but Julian Schuster’s side are a force to be reckoned with at home, where they have earned 24 of their 33 points. Leverkusen may choose to look for the aerial route if they’re to get the better of their hosts, who have conceded more headed goals than any other team. Here’s all you need to know ahead of Saturday afternoon’s game in our matchday news.

Show more
Re-LIVE | Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel beim SC Freiburg | 25. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 06.03.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #SCFB04: ‘We are only focussed on this game and the opponent’

A boost for the second Bundesliga away game in a row: The Werkself take on SC Freiburg just three days after the convincing 1-0 win at Hamburger SV. Ahead of the game on Saturday, 7 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the lessons learned from the rearranged fixture at HSV, a trio on yellow cards and young players like Christian Kofane and Montrell Culbreath.

Show more
SC Freiburg
Bundesliga - 06.03.2026

Our next opponents: SC Freiburg difficult to beat on own turf

SC Freiburg suffered their eighth away defeat of the season in Frankfurt last weekend. But at home, at the Europa Park Stadion, coach Julian Schuster's team are clocking up one win after the next. SCF are unbeaten in the last 16 matches at home. On Saturday, 7 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET), they will be looking to keep the run going in the clash with the Werkself. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more