
The Bundesliga top goalscorer in 2012/13 will in future be in action in this role primarily in the areas of marketing, sponsorship, internationalisation and fans.
Kießling played for Bayer 04 between 2006 and 2018 making 444 appearances for the Werkself scoring 162 goals. He played in two games for Germany at the 2020 World Cup in South Africa. Up to the end of last season, Kießling was coordinator within the licensed department at Bayer 04 and he played a big part in the professionalisation of procedures and structures.
Kießling said about his new role: "After all that time I still felt the need to draw back from the day-to-day business of the senior squad and be in a position to gain a new orientation. I have a lot to thank the club for. I think the role as Club representative will be interesting and varied. This will maintain our strong connection – I'm excited for the new challenges ahead."

New signing Miguel Gutiérrez arrives in Leverkusen having won the Champions League, the Spanish league title and an Olympic gold medal. However, the 25-year-old Spaniard, signed from Napoli, is looking to the future – he wants to write the next chapter of success with the Werkself. Bayer04.de takes a closer look at the skilful, attack-minded left-back, who will wear the number 3 jersey.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. Day three (Tuesday 4 August) begins with a thorough open session on the pitch. After lunch, some players have media engagements at the team hotel, and then the team come together for a barbecue in the evening.
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Nine matches against teams from nine countries, two penalty shoot-outs won, and encounters that went far beyond football: As with last year, the Inklusionswerkself enjoyed an extraordinary week at the Genuine Cup 2026 in Houston, USA, and made memories that will last a lifetime. This year, the Leverkusen side took part as Germany’s official representatives and, accordingly, took to the pitch in Germany kit. Together with 53 teams from 53 nations, the Black and Reds once again sent a powerful message of inclusion and participation – and also impressed on the pitch by winning their group.
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The Werkself training camp in the Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog, you’ll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme for day two (Monday, 3 August) centres on two training sessions – one in the morning (open to the public) and one in the early evening (behind closed doors) – at the nearby training grounds. In the afternoon, fans can look forward to a big fan meet-up with club legend Paulo Sergio at Schloss Blankenhain.
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