First, Benni Zander and Alex Schlüter welcomed the 38-year-old to the Podcast stage. As part of the ‘kicker meets DAZN’ podcast, Rolfes talked about his time as a TV pundit for the broadcaster ZDF. “It wasn’t at all easy to explain what’s happened in a game in 90 seconds.”
The Bayer 04 honorary captain had one lasting impression from the time he completed his Master for International Players (MIP), a two-year course offered by UEFA. In addition to Rolfes, other big names in football like Eric Abidal and Juninho have also earned that qualification. “It was a great networking opportunity. Sometimes it was a bit like a school trip – we quickly became a team and are still in contact with each other.” Other subjects on the podcast, that will be available from Monday on all the usual platforms, included the transfer strategy at Bayer 04 and also the level of communication between the new generation of sporting directors.
As well as Rolfes, this definitely includes Marcel Schäfer. The 35-year-old hung up his boots in 2018 and is now the sporting director at VfL Wolfsburg after ten years playing for the Wolves. Rolfes and Schäfer know each other well from their time of playing each other. They both took part in a DFB leadership trip to the USA in December. They met up again at SPOBIS – on the stage. Along with two other speakers, they talked about their relationship with players, agents and clubs.
The final day of SPOBIS 2020 on Thursday sees Black and Red representation on the stage again; this time it is Fernando Carro, the chairman of the board at Bayer 04. The 55-year-old will be joined on-stage by Axel Hellmann (member of the board at Eintracht Frankfurt), Oliver Leki (member of the board at SC Freiburg) and Bernd Hoffmann (chairman of the board at Hamburg SV). The subject covered by the quartet: ‘Bundesliga: What we have learned from our mistakes and now have to do better’.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned new signing Luca Erlein to newly promoted FC Energie Cottbus for the 2026/27 season. This will give him the opportunity to play in Bundesliga 2. The club signed the 19-year-old right-back on a permanent basis last week, on a contract to 30 June 2030.
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Trophies as a youth, appearances in the pro game and his first taste of international competition: new arrival Luca Erlein, who has been signed from TSG Hoffenheim, can already look back on some remarkable achievements and moments in his fledgling career. We take a closer look at the 19-year-old right-back, who can also fill other roles across the defensive line.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Germany U19 international Luca Erlein from Hoffenheim. The 19-year-old right-back, who is capable of playing in various defensive positions, has penned a contract until 30 June 2030.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen has a new coffee partner. The club has agreed a long-term partnership with the Bocholt-based roastery Imping, running to 30 June 2031. The exclusive partnership with the family-run business includes the installation of fully automatic coffee machines at the BayArena, as well as the right to supply and serve coffee products in the business areas during Werkself home games.
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