"In your five years in post, you have provided outstanding leadership to the club and achieved great success," said Wenning pointing out the four Champions League campaigns and the updated infrastructure at the BayArena completed under the guidance of Michael Schade, who will continue to have an input in the future with his role on shareholders' committee of Bayer 04 Fußball GmbH.
Over 100 long-term associates of the 65-year-old from the club, Bundesliga, business, culture and politics came together for the farewell event at the Premium Lounge. The guest list included Dr. Reinhard Rauball (president of the German Football League [DFL}), Werner Spinner (president of FC Köln), Peter Peters (director of Schalke 04), Wolfgang Bosbach (former CDU member of the Bundestag), Leverkusen's Mayor Uwe Richrath and Werner Baumann (chairman of the board at Bayer AG).
Fernando Carro, the new chairman of the board, Rudi Völler (managing director sport) and Jonas Boldt (sporting director) were accompanied by the Bayer 04 head coach Heiko Herrlich, captain Lars Bender, striker Kevin Volland plus club legends Ulf Kirsten, Simon Rolfes and Stefan Kießling. Also present: actor Jan-Gregor Kremp, musician Arthur Horvath, cabaret artist Wilfried Schmickler, who gave a witty and, as usual, pithy farewell speech in praise of Michael Schade, plus a host of sponsors, partners and journalists.
On the back of two straight defeats, Hoffenheim come to the BayArena on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CET) looking to once again demonstrate their good record away from home. The Sinsheim club have managed to claim points in many of their recent visits to Leverkusen. We take a look at what shape the Bundesliga’s eighth-placed team are in before they take on the league leaders.
Show moreBayer 04 is once again holding its traditional family matchday, presented by main sponsor Barmenia, as part of the Werkself’s Bundesliga game at home to Hoffenheim on Saturday, 30 March. Fans can look forward to family-friendly offers, an entertainment programme with numerous play stalls and hands-on activities around the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know about the family matchday.
Show moreNumerous players from the Bayer 04 youth teams have also been on their travels in the final international break of the season, including three for the German U17 side. A round-up of all the games involving our boys.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Women go into a three-week league break with a goalless draw. The team led by coach Robert de Pauw secured a point in a hard-fought game away to SGS Essen thereby maintaining a two-point lead over the hosts in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga. The Leverkusen Women are fifth in the table after 17 games on 25 points.
Show moreBayer 04 Women have faced Essen twice already this season, with neither game in Leverkusen ending well for the home side. The league encounter finished goalless, while the DFB Cup quarter-final at the BayArena ended in a 2-1 defeat and elimination. Now 19 days later, Robert de Pauw’s side are looking to make up for all of that as they visit Essen in the Google Pixel Bundesliga on Sunday (kick-off: 6.30pm CET).
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