Back
6.05.2020Bayer 04

Rolfes after restart decision: ‘Sign of confidence’

Confirmed on Wednesday: The 2019/20 Bundesliga season is set to start again. A video conference with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and the state minister presidents resulted in the green light for the resumption of the Bundesliga in the second half of May after the suspension of league fixtures in the middle of March. Tomorrow (Thursday), the DFL will announce the exact start date for games behind closed doors. Following the decision of the politicians to allow the resumption of the league campaign, Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes talked to an online media audience about...
crop_20200117_NB_Peter_Bosz_und_Simon_Rolfes_PK_71648.jpg

… the decision to resume the Bundesliga season: We’re happy about the decision. It’s a sign of the confidence of the politicians in the concept of the DFL that prescribes the organisational and hygienic requirements. A lot of people have been working on it and its local implementation over the past few weeks both by DFL and the clubs. In our case, we have to thank our team doctor Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar and his team. They designed all the measures and implemented them. But it’s also clear this decision also brings great responsibility with it – for the club and the players. We want to live up to that in the coming weeks.

…criticism of the decision: Above all in a crisis, it’s important not to play different groups off against each other. You can’t criticise anybody who wants to do their job again. The people in charge from the widest range of groups had and have the chance to work out plans for a restart – and professional football has achieved it. Of course, football as the number one sport, which is reported on daily in nearly all the media, plays a big part in the public dialogue. But it doesn’t automatically have a higher priority over anything else because of that.

…the competitive parity of the Bundesliga clubs: I believe that’s a given. Everybody has trained in restricted conditions and without an exact target date, starting in small groups. It hardly has any effect if you resume full training one or two days earlier than others. Not all teams start at the same time in the pre-season or during the winter break.

…the case of an infected player/manager over the course of the season: The power of ultimate decision in that event is with the local health authorities. They impose the quarantine measures. We have a close and good relationship with the local health authority in Leverkusen. Don’t forget: The tight timing of the testing is obviously designed to identify positive cases early and to prevent further infection.

…possibility of fans gathering outside stadiums: There are ongoing conversations between Bayer 04 and the fans. And, of course, we appeal to our supporters to watch the Werkself games at home in front of the television. On top of that, we have great confidence in our supporters. They are well aware that you can’t joke about this coronavirus pandemic. Feedback from our fans has shown they are conscious of their responsibility – both in view of their own health and also in the knowledge they could harm Bayer 04.

…the next steps before the restart: The DFL general meeting is tomorrow. After that, we’ll know exactly which matchday we’ll start with. We will start full training again and the regular coronavirus testing has and will serve as one of the preconditions for that. The hotel we use depends on the start date and venue. We’ll make that decision in the next day or two.

Related News

Kevin Brok
Youth - 15.09.2025

After Runge moves up to first team coaching staff: Brok becomes U19 head coach, Adam takes over U17s

The successor to Sergi Runge as head coach of the Bayer 04 U19 team has been decided. Following the Spaniard's appointment to Kasper Hjulmand's first team coaching staff, the current U17 head coach Kevin Brok (photo) will be responsible for the U19s until the end of the season. As a result, Benjamin Adam will also move up a year and will now coach the U17s instead of the U16s, also until the end of the season. The structure of the coaching and support staff will remain unchanged.

Show more
Begegnungslogos
Bundesliga - 15.09.2025

Tickets for away fixture at Mainz 05

The Werkself are away to Mainz 05 on matchday 7 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season. The game at the MEWA ARENA is on Saturday, 18 October, with the kick-off at 15.30 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.

Show more
Frauen-Training
Women - 13.09.2025

Bayer 04 Women want to be “dominant” in home opener against promoted Union Berlin

After opening the Google Pixel Bundesliga season in front of a German record crowd, Bayer 04 Women now play their first home game of 2025/26 as they host promoted Union Berlin at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion on Monday (kick-off: 6pm CEST) looking to turn their good performance in Munich into points this time.

Show more
Werkself battle to victory with nine men over Eintracht Frankfurt | 3rd matchday
Werkself-TV - 12.09.2025

TV highlights of 3-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt on the 3rd matchday of the Bundesliga 2025/26...

Show more