Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, former Germany teammate and long-standing chairman of the board at Bayern Munich, reveals how Rudi Völler works as a managing director and also his importance for the public perception of his club:
"Rudi Völler has succeeded in leaving his mark as a manager in football. He has superbly mastered his second career as sporting director and sporting managing director. There is no study course for that but the wealth of experience from his long playing career was a perfect base to set him up for the new challenges. Rudi has been challenged much more in management positions than was previously the case – even for him as a top player. He definitely knows how to face the media even when things aren't going so well on the pitch. And his decisions in the transfer market with top signings and often very worthwhile transfers out have mostly worked out perfectly. From my own experience, a club boss is ultimately measured by how his team performs on the pitch. The fact Rudi has never been challenged shows how well he's done his job in spite of the increasing demands.
He has been much more for the club than a sporting director or more recently as a managing director. There have been a lot of good people in the club and there still are but the face of Bayer 04 Leverkusen is Rudi Völler. Whenever we met up before games at lunch it was always striking how well Rudi got on with his colleagues. Bayern against Bayer – we've had some big battles but when Rudi entered the room there was immediately a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Rudi is simply a great personality and has an enormously positive charisma. That's why he is so incredibly popular amongst the population.
Whenever we stood together for the interests of our clubs, Rudi was always a representative of real football while other clubs integrated more and more finance people. He doesn't think about how to earn the next Euro. He is pro football and not always pro finance or pro marketing, which can damage our sport. It's a sign of his strength that he has made the decision to stop now. Rudi Völler can again leave the pitch with his head held and with pride just like he did after his playing career."
#DankeRudi – Part IV: Holzhäuser: ‘He was my best signing’
#DankeRudi – Part III: Ballack: ‘Rudi knew exactly what made players tick’
#DankeRudi – Part II: Calmund: ‘Where would Bayer 04 be without Rudi Völler?’
#DankeRudi – Part I: Hermann: ‘A slick operator full of ambition’
Calling all Bayer 04 fans: The Werkself will play Pisa SC, newly promoted to Serie A, at the BayArena as part of the season opener. The clash with the club from Tuscany is on Tuesday, 5 August with the kick-off at 18:00 CET. Entrance to the stadium with a wide range of entertainment provided is possible from 15:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales for the season opener.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the 17-year-old forward Dustin Buck. The Germany youth international joins from the youth set-up at FC Augsburg. The technically gifted and fast attacker will strengthen the Werkself U19 squad.
Show moreSeveral Bayer 04 Legends, Bayer executives, club officials, current defender Arthur and, of course, dozens of enthusiastic children turned out on Saturday on the south side of Sao Paulo for the official opening of the Bayer 04 Football Academy, located at Club Bayer on the campus of Bayer Brazil.
Show moreA great night for 'Calle': Bayer 04 new signing Carlotta Wamser helped Germany to an opening win in the Women's Euro in Switzerland with an impressive performance. After coming on as a substitute in the 2-0 victory over Poland in Group C, the winger provided an assist and helped set up the second goal. The 21-year-old earned great praise from her coach and teammates in her first tournament match.
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