"Coaches are important points of reference and key figures for talented youngsters making their way in professional football. I see the potential in Patrick to bring on youth players and to give us a boost in this area," said the director of the Bayer 04 Academy, Helmut Jungheim.
Bayer 04 sporting manager Jonas Boldt also emphasised the great advantages for Helmes in his new job given he is a former player. "Patrick has worked hard over the past few years on getting his coaching badges. As the holder of an A licence, he has the necessary experience and becoming a coach is the final step for him. But, of course, having been a German professional footballer also stands us in good stead," declared Boldt. "Patrick was an international player and an outstanding Bundesliga striker. Being able to engage a thoroughbred player like him in our youth section is worth a lot to us," added Boldt. "Patrick has the ideal prerequisites to become a great coach. We're all very much looking forward to working with him and we are sure it will very positive."
For the former pro, the return to Leverkusen represents "a great opportunity. Bayer 04 are a top club in Germany looking to be even more professional than before about youth development," declared Helmes. "On top of that, it will help the club bring through more homegrown players and it is an exciting and important job," added Helmes. "I'm excited about the next few years. It's great to be back to help develop the future of the club."
Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
Show moreTo all Bayer 04 fans: The Fanwelt will be closed all day next Monday 30 June. This is due to preparations for the change of kit supplier from Castore to New Balance on Tuesday 1 July.
Show moreThe Norway U23 international Julie Jorde has completed the move from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Brøndby IF. The twelve-time champions of Denmark have signed the midfielder on permanent terms after her loan move from the Bundesliga to Denmark in the winter.
Show moreIt is almost two years since Bayer 04 new signing Abdoulaye Faye first stepped foot into the BayArena as a player for the Swedish club BK Häcken in the opening match in the 2023/24 Europa League campaign. A day before his nineteenth birthday, the central defender did not play in the 4-0 win for the Werkself but it was "an incredible night" for him on 21 September 2023 as he explained in his first interview on bayer04.de. "I watched the players and saw the fans. I liked it." It was also the first European night early on in his career. He only joined the then champions of Sweden in the cold north of Europe from his home in Senegal a few weeks before that special moment. Bayer04.de profiles our new defender.
Show moreWelcome, Abdoulaye Faye. The 20-year-old Senegalese central defender joins Leverkusen from top-flight Swedish club BK Häcken. In his first interview he talks about his move to Bayer 04 and his targets with the Werkself.
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