Rudi Völler, sporting managing director at Bayer 04, was inducted into the Hall of Fame of German football along with nine other "first-rate personalities from the colourful and successful history of German football". The German Football Museum in Dortmund this week presented the Hall of Fame awards with a year's delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. Commenting on his induction, the 90-cap international Völler said: "In a country that produces so many outstanding footballers I see it as a great story to be a member of the Hall of Fame."
Michael Ballack, who played for Bayer 04 for five years, is also one of the award winners. The former world class midfielder: "2002 was perhaps my best year as a player even if it 'only' led to four second places with Bayer Leverkusen in the league, cup and the Champions league plus being runners-up with the national team in the World Cup."
Also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020 were Berti Vogts, Andreas Möller and Klaus Fischer. Oliver Kahn, Hans-Jürgen Dörner, Wolfgang Overath, Jürgen Klinsmann and Helmut Schön were in the Hall of Fame for 2019.
Back to the sporting here and now. The eyes of football across Europe will be focused on Porto on Saturday night, 29 May. At 21.00 CEST, the Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City will kick off in the Portuguese city. With the London team: Bayer 04 home-grown player Kai Havertz. Ahead of the biggest match in Havertz' career, sporting managing director Rudi Völler found words of praise for the former Leverkusen player: "God has given him everything he needs: He is fast, has great technique, is dangerous in front of goal and strong in the air. He will definitely be in the national team in the future."
The Mariadorf-born Havertz, who we dedicated a TV documentary to in 2020, joined the Leverkusen academy at Kurtekotten in 2010 as an 11-year-old before progressing through all the youth teams and then breaking into the Werkself first team squad where he developed from an exceptional talent into a player with world class potential. On Saturday he has the opportunity to lift the Champions League trophy at the age of 21. We wish you much success, Kai. And remember: You know how to win at the Estadio do Dragão. In 2020, you almost beat FC Porto single-handedly with two assists and a goal in the 3-1 win.
There is another important final a day later in Cologne: On Sunday, 30 May, VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt meet in the Women’s DFB Cup final with the kick off at 15.30 CEST. Three former and one future Bayer 04 players will be taking part.
Both Kathrin Hendrich (Wolfsburg) as well as Theresa Panfil and Barbara Dunst (both Frankfurt) have played for Leverkusen in the past. And VfL keeper Friederike Abt, who joins Leverkusen this summer, will take part in the cup final. In the competition to date, the 26-year-old has been in goal for the Wolves in the Round of 16 and the quarter-finals.
Turid Knaak has held the DFB Cup aloft twice: With FCR 2001 Duisburg in 2009 and 2010. A year after the second triumph, the attacker signed for Leverkusen where she remained for six years with the exception of a two-month loan to Arsenal. She made an impressive 102 appearances and scored 20 goals for the Black and Reds. Today Knaak plays for Atletico Madrid and is a member of the Germany squad. She has recently achieved something special away from football: After completing a course at the University in Cologne she is now the first Germany Women's player to have a doctors title. Hats off, Turid.
Hans Jörg Butt was 47 years old on Friday. He moved to Leverkusen from Hamburg SV in 2001 and the Oldenburg-born keeper went on to make 263 appearances for the Werkself in six years, keeping 61 clean sheets – and perhaps more remarkable – he scored eight goals as the Bayer 04 keeper. He was feared for his penalties as well as his reflexes on the line. The former Werkself shot-stopper retired nine years ago. We’d like to say thank you for your many saves and goals for Leverkusen and wish you a very happy birthday, Hans Jörg.
He will not only be missed at all the away games for Bayer 04 across Europe but will also leave a hole across sport in Germany: Manfred 'Manni' Ommer passed away a week ago at the age of 70. Born in Bergisch Gladbach, he was an athlete and he won a European Championship silver medal in 1974.
Ommer became a football official after his own career and in the 1980s he caused a surprise as president of FC Homburg from the Saarland when he took them into the Bundesliga. Up to his passing, he was the hotelier of the Werkself team hotel and he was always a VIP fan accompanying Bayer 04 on away games in the Champions League and the Europa League up to the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Thank you for your commitment and your loyalty, 'Manni'.
Tickets for the first two Bayer 04 women’s team home games are now on general sale. A week after their league opener away at RB Leipzig, Roberto Pätzold’s side will face last season’s runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, in the first home fixture on Sunday 30 August (kick-off: 16:00 CEST). Fifteen days later, on Monday night, 14 September (kick-off: 18:00 CEST), the Leverkusen Women host German champions Bayern Munich at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium for a top-of-the-table league clash. You can now also select specific seats via the online shop. The latest information on match ticket sales.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.
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Spurred on by a flawless hat-trick from Cornelia Kramer, the Bayer 04 women’s team won their penultimate pre-season friendly in commanding fashion. As part of the season launch, the Werkself beat Dutch top-flight side Feyenoord 7–0. In front of 3,000 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, Kramer (6’, 25’, 45’), Sofie Zdebel (47’), Maja Sternad (59'), Natasha Kowalski (83') and Vanessa Fudalla (86') scored the goals for coach Roberto Pätzold’s side.
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The Shareholders’ Committee of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH has extended the contracts of the two managing directors, Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes, ahead of schedule. The CEO, Fernando Carro (62), will continue in his role until 30 June 2029, and managing director sport Simon Rolfes (44) will remain in post until 30 June 2031.
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