Back
24.03.2021Bayer 04

First session under Hannes Wolf: 120 energy-packed minutes

At his presentation on Tuesday, Hannes Wolf had a clear idea of what his first training session in charge of the Werkself should look like. "We immediately want to play football with pace and thereby develop the joy of playing," explained the new head coach. One day later, the 39-year-old and his team were on the training ground at the BayArena for the first time. He worked for two hours with Charles Aránguiz and Co.
20210324_NB_B04_Training_8089.jpg

Hannes Wolf welcomed 21 players to his first session in Bayer 04 kit. In addition to Niklas Lomb, the U19 goalkeepers Marcel Johnen and Jakob Brambach donned their gloves as well. Lukas Hradecky trained separately following his Achilles injury and Lennart Grill is set to play for Germany on Wednesday night against Hungary in the U21 European Championship (kick-off: 21.00 CET/ProSieben).

 

crop_20210324_NB_B04_Training_7935.jpg

Also on board under clear blue skies were Emrehan Gedikli, Cem Türkmen and Samed Onur plus the U19 players Yannick Schlösser and Achunike-Elijah Ekene. Recently injured players Paulinho and Sven Bender completed large parts of the session. After the warm-up routine, the Werkself players completed passing drills under the guidance of assistant coach and Bayer 04 stalwart Peter Hermann. The 69-year-old directed operations, issued instructions and gave advice – as he has always done in his long career.

Wolf's training message: "Use the pace"

Then it became more intensive: In a restricted space, outnumbered situations were created where goalscoring opportunities had to be battled for. Under the eyes of Fernando Carro, chairman of the board, and sporting director Simon Rolfes, Wolf interrupted proceedings a number of times to give players instructions. "We have so much pace in the team, we have to use it," was just one of the many messages from the 39-year-old.

 

20210324_NB_B04_Training_8128.jpg

Hermann's additional shift for the youngsters

While Charles Aránguiz and Co worked with the fitness coaches at the end of the session, Wolf's assistant Hermann gathered together the youngest players. He led passing and shooting practice with the five U19 outfield players plus goalkeepers Johnen and Brambach. At exactly 12.30 CET, Wolf, Hermann, Miguel Moreira and Co. left the training ground together after the first session was completed.

 

20210324_NB_B04_Training_8062.jpg

Wolf will hold his next session on Thursday with his first match as Werkself head coach coming up on Easter Saturday, 3 April (kick-off: 15.30 CEST) when bottom of the table Schalke 04 visit the BayArena. In the clash with the Royal Blues there should be a similar approach as in the first training session led by new coach Wolf.

 

Related News

Frauen unterliegen nach frühem Elfmeter-Treffer der TSG Hoffenheim | 19. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 22.02.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Vanessa Fudalla
Women - 22.02.2026

Bayer 04 Women lose 1-0 at home to Hoffenheim

The Bayer 04 Women suffered a setback in the race for third place in the Bundesliga table. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 1-0 at home to direct rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday afternoon, with a penalty after two minutes deciding the match. With 32 points and a game in hand, TSG have moved above the Werkself, who remain on 31 points. There is now a three-week international break before the remaining seven Bundesliga matches.

Show more
Loïc Badé gegen den 1. FC Union Berlin
Bayer 04 - 22.02.2026

Muscle injury sidelines Bayer 04 defender Loïc Badé

Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Loïc Badé for the time being. The Frenchman suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh in Saturday’s 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at FC Union Berlin. The diagnosis was the result of an MRI scan this Sunday morning.

Show more
Sondertrikot
Bayer 04 - 22.02.2026

Love that lasts a lifetime. Bayer 04 present special edition jersey marking 50th anniversary of fan clubs Under the Cross

It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.

Show more