…the reasons for accepting the offer from Bayer 04: I’ve already done a lot in my past. But youth development work was always my hobby horse – even if perhaps many people didn’t recognise it. Therefore, I’ve actually always wanted to receive an offer like that one day. After my time at 1860 Munich (2016, ed.) I moved back to the Rhineland to Leichlingen as that’s where my wife comes from. And then, to be honest, I hoped that Bayer 04 would get in touch. Having this job is like winning the lottery for me.
…the areas in youth development the man born in Freiburg wants to work on: There is no reason why Leverkusen cannot be one of the absolute top clubs in youth development again. In our medical department we have comprehensive performance diagnostics plus top staff in this area, the facilities at Kurtekotten are outstanding – whether that’s in a sporting, medical or teaching sense: The conditions here are perfect in many areas. It’s about using them as best as possible. We have to increase intensity, see each individual player as a project, support and help them individually to end up joining our top young players in the first team squad.
…cooperation with the first team: We can access a wide spectrum of knowledge and expertise – split into the two sites: BayArena and Kurtekotten. These have to work like clockwork and that’s what I’m working towards and that’s what we want to see. The separation of the U8 to U15s at Kurtekotten and the U17s through to the first team at the BayArena is anything but a disadvantage. It’s down to us to combine these two areas efficiently and be in tune with each other and see this as an opportunity. At Kurtekotten, with all seriousness and ambition, the informal and footballing components dominate. The cut comes by the U17s at the latest and that’s associated with the move up to the BayArena. Then it’s all about high professionalism for places in the senior squad and a future in professional football.
…wrestling for the best talents in Germany: It’s our ambition and aim for the most promising youth players in the region to want to come to Bayer 04. If we scout beyond the region, at home or abroad, then the player has to be a candidate for our first team squad. In our education and accommodation we use a different system from many other clubs with their boarding facilities. We approach the individual player, accommodating with a suitable host family near to Kurtekotten all the BayArena. I don’t know if there is another club in Germany that does the same as Bayer 04 – with coaches, teachers, psychologists and many other support staff and experts.
…the recreation of the Bayer 04 coaching academy: Here with us, every coach and every employee must have the target of wanting to make the individual player better. It’s not primarily about winning but more about the individual development of the player. To ensure that this run successfully in the end, we are continually training our coaches with the help of the academy. The education of coaches at Bayer 04 does not end with the DFB coaching licence. The aim is to set new targets and share ideas every day. The coaches should not stand still but rather think outside the box and, in addition to standard workshops, get to know other measures like alternative sports, motivational coaching etc. That means we will create a sound education system with continuous ongoing and further education in the sense of the Bayer 04 playing philosophy.
…his work with the Bayer 04 Women’s Bundesliga team: In this area there is already a very good base and everybody is extremely committed and ambitious. Here too, we have set clear targets for the coming years: At some point, this team should be as successful in the Women’s Bundesliga as the men are in their’s – that is finishing in the top third of the table. Of course, we are taking it step-by-step. For example, extending the fitness regime was the key point when I started at Bayer 04 . Now it’s about continually improving in all areas. As with this team, we need to be able to recognise it as soon as possible by the playing style, that is the philosophy and basic approach: Here Bayer 04 are on the pitch.
…attending training sessions and matches: I take in what I can. Of course, I also try to use my colleagues accordingly. I receive a report about every game so I am well informed. In terms of volume, this job is the most comprehensive I’ve ever done. But it’s incredible fun. There are days here when I get home and say to my wife: Really, I should be paying to be allowed to do this job – I feel on top of the world here.
