13.09.2024Bayer 04

Emotional memorial service for Christoph Daum

A farewell to former Werkself head coach Christoph Daum at a big memorial service on Thursday afternoon. Bayer 04, VfB Stuttgart and FC Köln took part in a joint memorial event at the Rhein Energie Stadion in Cologne. Amongst the many guests from the world of sport and the circles of family and friends was sporting managing director Simon Rolfes. Daum, who led the Werkself to three runners-up finishes and three UEFA Champions League campaigns between 1996 and 2000, passed away at the age of 70 at the end of August.

Numerous friends, acquaintances and contemporaries from national and international football came together on Thursday to bid farewell to legendary coach Christoph Daum. In addition to Rolfes that included the DFB president Bernd Neuendorf, DFB sporting director Rudi Völler, the long-serving Leverkusen managing director Reiner Calmund, Alexander Wehrle (VfB Stuttgart chairman of the board), Werner Wolf (FC Köln president), Michael Meier (former managing director at FC Köln and sporting director at Bayer 04), Pierre Littbarski (1990 World Cup winner), Cem Özdemir (German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture), Ali Koç (Fenerbahce president) and Kaan Şakul (Besiktas general secretary).

There was brilliant sunshine over the stadium punctually for the start of the event at 15.30 CEST. A large canvas in the centre circle depicting Daum lay next to flags of his former clubs Bayer 04, FC Köln and VfB Stuttgart. Many of Daum's contemporaries gave emotional eulogies, DFB president Neuendorf spoke of "one of the most colourful and exciting characters in German football.".

Music was provided by, amongst others, the Höhner, who sang their famous song ‘Gute Fründe’ in German and Turkish, and the Turkish Chamber Orchestra and Choir.

Related News

Tobias Ufer, Gonzalo Castro, Stefan Kießling and Rüdiger Vollborn

Fans - 13.03.2026

'Rudi invites you': Successful premiere with Castro and Kießling

High spirits and previously untold stories: Around 100 Bayer 04 fans packed the Schwadbud fan pub in the east stand of the BayArena on Thursday evening to be there in person for the first instalment of the new series of events entitled “Rudi lädt ein” (Rudi invites you). They listened intently as long-serving Werkself players Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kießling chatted with record appearance-maker Rüdiger Vollborn and presenter and stadium announcer Tobias Ufer about their many years together at the club, shared amusing anecdotes and revealed dressing room secrets. Anyone who missed the premiere can already look forward to the second instalment – on 12 May, Rudi will be testing the expert knowledge of Bayer 04 fans during a quiz night.

Women - 13.03.2026

'Match them as equals when it's 11 vs. 11': Women out for revenge at Wolfsburg for reverse fixture defeat

The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.

Women - 12.03.2026

February Goal of the Month: Derby stunner from Sofie Zdebel nominated

Sofie Zdebel is up for the Goal of the Month award for February on ARD-Sportschau. Fans have until 21 March (19:00 CET) to vote for the Germany U23 international's volley to make it 2-0 in the Bayer 04 Women's derby against FC Köln (2-1).

PerNaturam wird neuer Partner der Bayer 04-Frauen

Women - 12.03.2026

Feed manufacturer PerNaturam is new Bayer 04 Women’s team partner

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are further expanding their partner network: The feed manufacturer PerNaturam is an official sponsor of the Bayer 04 Womens team. The partnership opens up a wide range of opportunities for the company to position its brand in the Bundesliga environment.

Women - 12.03.2026

Junior talent day in spring: Open trials on 12 April

Do you dream of wearing the Bayer cross on your chest? To play in black and red like your role models Loreen Bender, Cornelia Kramer, Kristin Kögel and co. from the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga? Then take your chance now! Our female youth teams are once again on the lookout for new talent. That's why Bayer 04 are organising a talent day on 12 April 2026 for the first time this year with trials for female juniors.