'Reached a new level in many areas': Carro and Rolfes interview

Fernando, with the year nearly at an end, if we look back over the season so far, the summary is thoroughly positive. In your professional career, have you ever experienced a period like this in which it's going so well on so many levels at the same time?

Carro: "There have been comparable periods, for example in my previous career at Bertelsmann, when revenue grew sharply. And then, because the job was going so well, I was able to work on my tennis skills a bit more calmly (laughs). In all seriousness, I'm very pleased with how it's going at present, but we mustn't rest for one second and must still keep trying to improve every day at all levels."

What factors do you identify for such successful periods?

Carro: "I'm absolutely convinced that at the end of the day, all employees make the success. In the case of a professional football club like Bayer 04, there are obviously the players and the coaching team first, but there's also the management and all the staff. When all the wheels interlock, the chance of success increases."

Simon, the head coach is always the central figure at a professional football club. When you recruited Xabi Alonso in October 2022, you spoke yourself of a brave decision. Externally the appointment was described as risky in some places. Did you ever think it would go this well with him?

Rolfes: "At that time, it maybe wasn't necessarily foreseeable, but we were convinced that we have a good team and he could suit our players well. And we all believed we were capable of being more successful this season than last. Then in the summer, also because of the transfers, an extra special dynamic evolved. A lot of correct decisions were made together, in terms of both the team itself and the departments and personnel around the team in the whole club."

What led you to hire Xabi?

Rolfes: "On the one hand, it's obviously the way he plays football. He also proved that previously with the Real Sociedad reserve team in impressive fashion – there was a clear philosophy with a lot of control and direct, fast-paced play. That fits in well with our playing philosophy and with our players. On the other hand, it's always about a coach's personality too. With Xabi we got the impression that, through his successful playing career, he's a very experienced personality. He's very meticulous in his daily work here. The Europa League game at Monaco was a turning point for me: I clearly felt there that a heavy weight came off the shoulders of a lot of the players. It was a very special moment."

Since then, a big buzz around Bayer 04 has been generated. The sale of season tickets had to be stopped and we've gained a lot of new members – the 40,000 mark was recently surpassed. What more can come from this enthusiasm?

Carro: "Simon only recently told me about the 2003/04 season, when he won the league and cup with Bremen. Since then, the Weserstadion is always sold out – to this day. I see that as a good example. If we really do manage to achieve something big at the end of the season, it can make a significant contribution to reaching a new, higher level over the years. We have all the prerequisites for this – be it the proximity to our fans, the great professionalism in our organisation or the quality and determination of everyone who works here."

Simon, you came to Leverkusen from Aachen in 2005, so you've been at Bayer 04 for a fair few years. Have you ever experienced such a positive momentum as now in your time as a player and official?

Rolfes: "Not to this extent, no. Of course, the club has always developed over the years, the fan base has continually grown. We've reached a new level in many areas. However, what's happening right now is certainly special. The stadium is always sold out, the member numbers are literally exploding and the quality of the team has never been this high since 2005 – both individually and in the depth of the squad."

You once said you would've liked to play in the current team…

Rolfes: (laughs) "Those days are gone. But what's just as important, if not more so, than the sporting quality is the character of the players. The perfect example of this is the home game against Molde. We were already confirmed as group winners but everyone still gave their all on the pitch, and in the end we won 5-1. That unrelenting desire from every individual is what makes us so strong collectively."

This year, you both reaffirmed your commitment to the club and signed long-term contracts. You've emphasised that you have high expectations of yourselves and of the club. One gets the impression that the cooperation between yourselves and with Werner Wenning (chairman of the shareholders' committee) is very trusting. To what extent is that also a success factor?

Carro: "For me, continuity at the top of a company is hugely significant – maybe even more so in football than elsewhere. We complement each other very well with the different strengths we offer. On top of that, the relationship of trust we have built up, including with Werner Wenning, with whom we are in regular contact, helps us in phases when things are perhaps not going so well."

Rolfes: "Yes, we benefit from each other. Fernando is sometimes more impulsive and I a bit calmer. Both can be an advantage in different situations. The club benefits from both."

Let's look ahead to the new year. January brings with it challenges as several players will be in action at the Africa Cup of Nations. Our fans are obviously particularly interested in whether you'll have a look around the transfer market again.

Rolfes: "In planning the squad last summer, as well as the strain of three competitions and the possibility of going far in the cup competitions, we also took AFCON into account. We're therefore completely confident in the players we have available, there's no doubt about that. Nevertheless, we will see in January if there are suitable options to strengthen us."

Another topic that will arise in the new year in German football is the possible introduction of investors. What does that mean for the Bundesliga and for Bayer 04?

Carro: "It's a collaboration with a partner who pays money and expects profitability in return. The financial resources could then be invested in the digitalisation and internationalisation of the Bundesliga product, for example. In this way, the clubs and their revenue will ultimately develop and grow. It would only have a positive effect for the fans. This step will never result in the tradition of football in Germany being lost. But it is important in order to contribute to the global competitiveness of the Bundesliga."

On the pitch, there are many highlights in store in the early part of the year. In the DFB Cup it's going to be really intriguing as we've been drawn against the toughest opponents in the hat in Stuttgart. We're all excited about the Europa League draw too. What are you particularly looking forward to in the new year?

Rolfes: "Above all I'm looking forward to the continued journey here at Bayer 04 and every single assignment that awaits us. It's great to see a team with this ambition and this team spirit. And we are delighted to see that our fans are also looking forward to every single game. That's how it should be!"

Carro: "I couldn't have ended it better myself! For now, we wish our fans, our partners and all employees a Happy New Year!"