“After a total of 16 eventful and memorable, very demanding and always exciting years at Bayer 04, I will now pursue my career in a different direction,” said Simon Pallmann. “I’m looking forward to new and exciting projects and challenges. Even though I have consciously taken this step, it is very difficult to say goodbye to Bayer 04,” declared the graduate business administrator. “I wish the club and its staff all the very best.”
Fernando Carro, chairman of the board: “On behalf of Bayer 04, I’d like to say a big thank you to Simon Pallmann for all his work. Mr Pallmann has worked for our club over a long period with great professionalism. With his expertise, he has played a big part in Bayer 04 today being a recognised and reliable entity in the football business at home and abroad. I wish him every success for the future.”
For sporting managing director Rudi Völler, Pallmann has, “always been a reliable and loyal representative of our club in all the years we’ve worked together. Simon is particularly at home on the stage of international football,” said Völler. “He represented us brilliantly with his organisational responsibilities at a lot of games in the Champions League and Europa League and he was always a reliable partner of the clubs and associations both in Europe and in the Bundesliga. I wish Simon all the best and I’m sure he will be very successful in the future.”
A disciplined defensive performance in the second leg saw Bayer 04 prevail against Olympiacos in the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26. Thanks to the 2-0 away win in the first leg, the goalless draw at home at the BayArena was enough to ensure progress to the next round. The Black and Reds kept their opponents away from their goal for the best part of 90 minutes.
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Bayer 04 can go through to the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the ninth time tonight, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET) and be in the top 16 clubs in Europe. A good omen: Leverkusen have progressed to the next round after winning the first leg in 20 of their 22 knockout rounds in European competitions to date. For their part, Greek record champions Olympiacos rested several players for last weekend’s league fixture ahead of the play-off second leg at the BayArena and will now do everything in their power to turn the tide with their usual aggressive and high pressing. The discussions on Werkself radio are likely to be just as intense as the battle on the pitch, with commentator Florian Bechholz welcoming honorary captain Stefan Kießling and goalkeeper Mark Flekken. Today’s matchday news.
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With the advantage of the 2-0 first-leg win in the play-offs, the Werkself are looking to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the sold-out BayArena. Ahead of the home game against Olympiacos on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET), coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Janis Blaswich spoke about the position ahead of the match, the visitors' strength at set-pieces and a personnel issue for the home side.
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With a win in the Greek Super League last weekend, Olympiacos achieved success on the pitch ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off second leg at Bayer 04 on Tuesday, 24 February (kick-off: 21:00 CET). Coach José Luis Mendilibar rested many of his regular starters.
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