'I'm really looking forward to the new challenge'

On Monday afternoon, Fernando Carro (CEO), Rudi Völler (Managing director sport) and Simon Rolfes fielded questions from the media at a joint press conference. Bayer04.de reports the key statements.

Fernando Carro: "Simon has done outstanding work since July of this year. He will be responsible for youth development as well as being the sporting director – it will remain an important area of his range of duties. Rudi Völler and I have been able to see at close quarters how quickly and well he has dealt with new issues since July and has also been able to bring in changes. He's ambitious and wants – as we all do – to be successful and win in the end. Above all, I value his in-depth knowledge of football, his leadership qualities, his team and communication skills, his international links and also his negotiating skills. He brings openness, transparency and loyalty and is an absolute role model at Bayer 04."

Rudi Völler on…

…Simon Rolfes: „"We've never made a secret of wanting to bring in Simon Rolfes in the summer – as we did with Stefan Kießling (adviser to the sporting management at Bayer 04 since 1 October 2018, ed.) –  to work with Bayer 04 over the long term. We are all agreed that we'd most like to bring in people to the club who grew up with the club and have Bayer 04 DNA in them."

…the timing of the change of sporting director: „"The timing is definitely unusual and I thought it would be different. We would have preferred it being announced later – preferably in the summer or in the winter break. But that's not on when other decisions have been made. Word gets round quickly so we had to act. It's part of the business that leads to the creation of a certain myth. But: This isn't a shambles as some people have been quick to suggest – Jonas Boldt will remain here and keep on helping us and do things successfully for us as he has done for years – now in discussion with the new sporting director Simon Rolfes."

…The decision by Jonas Boldt to leave Bayer 04 in the summer of 2019 after 15 years: "We didn't part company, Jonas had his own reasons. I've known him for many many years – he started here as an intern and has developed brilliantly. His expert knowledge is undisputed and in the summer there were one or two approaches from various clubs. In response that, we made changes to the structures to give him the opportunity to have more influence as sporting director. The fact he has different ideas from us from time to time was no surprise from our previous experience but that is to be expected from a very young and ambitious manager. A couple of things happened  that he thought would be different. But we continue to have a close and absolutely friendly relationship – and he is still part of the club. If, over the next few weeks, he wants to change his mind then we will have an open and honest discussion. I'm absolutely certain that it will be conducted reasonably and the whole story will be positive for everybody involved." 

Simon Rolfes on…

…the new job: "I'm really looking forward to the new job as sporting director at Bayer 04 – it's a very attractive opportunity for me. Bayer 04 has long been my sporting home and something close to my heart – I spent ten years here as a player and since the summer have been working in the youth section. As a player, I was able to play in very many successful matches in the Champions League and that's also my target in my new position. And, of course, to make sure Bayer 04 are established at the top end of the Bundesliga over the long term."

…the timing: "It was like the time when I was a player: You're brought on  and it doesn't matter at all what's happening on the pitch as it's just starting. For me, the situation is as it is and I'm looking forward to starting on 1 December."

…targets: "Our aspiration of wanting to qualify for Europe has not changed – even though the start in the Bundesliga this season has not gone to plan. We'll have to see that we gradually work our way back into a European spot. We want to be in the leading group in the Bundesliga over the long term and be able to compete at that level."

…new ideas: "I have my own ideas about football and also believe how things should develop. That's a point I've worked on over the past few months in the youth section, for example looking at which abilities we have to teach the players. Youth development remains a very important factor at Bayer 04 over the long term. In the future, I believe it will be extremely important for the club to be able to rely on really impressive youth development in-house. Therefore, we will continue to drive forward things we've recently touched on with the support of the head of youth development Helmut Jungheim."

…His approach: "I haven't finally decided whether or not I'll sit on the bench. But that could be the case. First of all, I'll take a good look at everything to get a feeling of how the land lies. It could be tricky – even if I know Bayer 04 or several players from my playing days – to make judgements now  and to decide which next step is the right one.  It's important to talk to everybody at the beginning."