Carro will also have a place on the supervisory committee of the UCC SA, the joint venture between the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the ECA. On that high-ranking group of experts, he replaces the only German representative Oliver Kahn who resigned his seat after his departure from Bayern Munich in the spring of 2023.
In addition to Carro, the Bundesliga will continue to be represented by Jan-Christian Dreesen (Bayern Munich) and Oliver Mintzlaff (RB Leipzig). Both were able to qualify for a seat on the board in the vote held on Thursday. Germany is thereby the only country that has three board representatives on the ECA for the next four years up to 2027.
Fernando Carro on his appointment: "It is important that German football has a significant voice in the European context in these demanding and forward-looking times. I look forward to the coming tasks and also knowing that I will have two expert and experienced allies for German interests at my side in Jan-Christian Dreesen and Oliver Mintzlaff.“
The European body UEFA and the ECA agreed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on extending cooperation to 2030 on Wednesday. The close cooperation of the two organisations was a crucial factor in turning away from the Super League in 2021 and then enabling the reform of the UEFA Champions League from 2024.
The ECA:
The European Club Association (ECA) is an autonomous and independent special interest group of European football clubs officially recognised both by UEFA and FIFA. Since being founded in 2008, the ECA protects and supports clubs in all international football matters and decision-making processes. The ECA sees the club as the "heart of football." The ECA is headed by an executive board elected by the general meeting that is supported by a number of committees with specific responsibilities and areas of activity. Click HERE for the ECA homepage.
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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