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

Edmond Tapsoba
Bayer 04 - 14.11.2026

Burkina Faso tips, role models and African legends: 'On the Podium' with Edmond Tapsoba | Werkself Magazine #56

Whether it's sport or his private live: Captain Edmond Tapsoba tells us his top three personal favourites in twelve categories in edition #56 of the Werkself Magazine. The defender had to answer as quickly as he reacts on the pitch. 'On the Podium' with Edmond Tapsoba!

Show more
Torwarttrainer-Treffen in der BayArena
Bayer 04 - 12.11.2026

Goalkeeping coaches’ meeting at the BayArena: Focus on fitness training

“Year after year, this is an incredibly valuable gathering, both in terms of the content covered and the opportunity for mutual discussion,” stressed Bayer 04 goalkeeping coach David Thiel in his welcoming address at this year’s goalkeeping coaches’ meeting. This was the third time in four seasons that the event had been held at the BayArena. Organised by the German Football Association (DFB), the meeting brought together goalkeeping coaches from the Bundesliga, Bundesliga 2 and the 3rd division from the west region. For the first time this year, goalkeeping coaches from the youth performance centres (NLZ) were also present. Bayer 04 fitness coach Markus Müller provided fascinating insights into the specific fitness training carried out with the Werkself’s goalkeepers.

Show more
Terminierungen der Frauen-Bundesliga
Women - 11.11.2026

Women: Matchdays 12 to 15 scheduled with Monday night derby, end-of-year fixture on a Sunday

A floodlit derby, two further night games and a top-of-the-table clash on a Saturday afternoon: The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed the exact dates for four further matchdays in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. This means all fixtures for the Bayer 04 women’s team up to the end of the year, as well as the first two in 2027, are now confirmed.

Show more
Bayer 04-eSportler Sean Landwehr
eSports - 11.11.2026

#B04eSports: In-person round missed again

It was another incredibly close call in the end: The second showdown in the 2026/27 VBL Club Championship saw the #B04eSports team once again narrowly miss out on a place in the top 16 of the preliminary round – and with it, a spot in the in-person knockout stage. It was a bitter blow: Marc and Sean Landwehr again fell just short, despite being level on points with their rivals. As was the case last month, their weaker record across the twelve individual matches in the six preliminary round fixtures proved decisive.

Show more
Facundo Medina für Argentinien
Bayer 04 - 09.11.2026

November internationals: Medina and Fernández in Argentina squad, Quansah with England

Several Werkself players are set to represent their national teams during the final international break of 2026. Here’s an overview of who has been called up and the matches they will face in November. This article will be updated regularly.

Show more