Back
23.12.2018Bayer 04

Peter Bosz takes over as coach from Heiko Herrlich

Bayer 04 have parted company with head coach Heiko Herrlich. The Bundesliga club has released the 47-year-old as well as his assistant coach Nico Schneck with immediate effect. Herrlich's successor as the Werkself coach is the Dutchman Peter Bosz who will take up his post on 4 January 2019 for the start of preparations for the second half of the season.
bosz.jpg

The 54-year-old, who took Ajax through to the Europa League final against Manchester United in 2017, has signed a contract to 30 June 2020. Bosz will be joined at Leverkusen by his assistant coach Hendrik  'Hendrie' Krüzen.

"Heiko Herrlich gave our team an important boost last year after a very difficult season and he took us into Europe. We were convinced and determined to turn the corner with him as head coach. Unfortunately, there  has been an undeniable stagnation in the development of the team. Even though we are within reach of the European positions at the end of the year we find ourselves in a situation after a less than satisfactory first half of the season that makes a change of coach essential from our point of view," said Rudi Völler as sporting managing director in explaining the decision.

"With Peter Bosz as manager we want to get back to meeting our ambitious targets as quickly as possible," declared the Bayer 04 chairman Fernando Carro. "Of course, that is also down to the players. They have to consistently show their undoubted ability, which unfortunately has rarely been evident over the past six months."

In the view of Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes, Peter Bosz wants to play "Attacking, high tempo and exciting football.  He has always demonstrated particular passion in working with young players wherever he has coached. Therefore, Peter is an excellent fit here with us as we have placed great emphasis on developing highly talented youth players and bringing them through to the top level in a balanced combination with experienced pros for many years. Our team will benefit from having Peter Bosz as our coach," declared Rolfes. "Particularly at Ajax, he demonstrated he can improve young players, build teams and also compete on the European stage."

Related News

Cornelia Kramer und Kristin Kögel
Women - 11.12.2025

Women in final Hinrunde game at Werder Bremen

The penultimate Bundesliga matchday of the calendar year marks the end of an eventful first half of the season for the Bayer 04 Women. After seven wins, one draw and four defeats from the first twelve games of the season, coach Roberto Pätzold's team can go above Werder Bremen in the table with a win on Friday, 12 December (kick-off: 18:30 CET).

Show more
Gegner-Check
eSports - 11.12.2025

#B04eSports: Match between the two Showdown winners opens the third event

The third showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 kicks off for the Leverkusen eSports team this Thursday, 11 December (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Red will once again take on six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round, which will take place at this third showdown on 19 December in Cologne. Showdown One winners Bayer 04 will face FC St. Pauli, who won the second showdown last month, among others. The lowdown on first three opponents in this online preliminary round.

Show more
Alejandro Grimaldo, Ibrahim Maza und Christian Kofane
Champions League - 10.12.2025

Werkself level late in 2-2 draw with Newcastle United

Alejandro Grimaldo, of course! With his late equaliser (88') in the Champions League clash against Newcastle United, the Spaniard rescued a point for the Werkself, who took the lead through an own goal by Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (13') but went with two goals for the visitors scored by Anthony Gordon (51') and Lewis Miley (74'). It was the third draw for Bayer 04 in the current 2025/26 campaign on matchday 6 in the UCL league phase.

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #B04NEW
Champions League - 10.12.2025

Matchday news #B04NEW: Take on Newcastle with efficiency and quick transitions

The Werkself will be looking to continue their run in the Champions League against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December (kick-off: 21:00 CET). The two victories without conceding a goal at Benfica (1:0) and Manchester City (2-0) will hopefully be followed by a win at home at the BayArena. Against the English side, who have a player with a Black and Red past in their ranks, the way to victory could be through efficiency in attack and quick transitional play. The latter in particular has recently caused the Magpies problems away from home on the European stage. Fans can also get the stylish matchday sticker for their Sound of Dreams tour pass at the Bayer 04 Fanwelt. The matchday news.

Show more
Jubel nach dem 1:0 gegen Newcastle United
U19 - 10.12.2025

2-1 against Newcastle United- U19s though to Youth League knockout phase for the first time

For the first time ever, Bayer 04 have reached the knockout phase of the UEFA Youth League. At the end of the league phase, the Leverkusen U19s secured a 2-1 home win against Newcastle United on Wednesday, 10 December. Montrell Culbreath scored before half-time and Ferdinand Pohl doubled the lead after the restart in the clash with the English side. The UCL youth competition continues at the beginning of February with the Round of 32, which will be played away from home without a second leg.

Show more