Back
18.03.2020Bayer 04

Rolfes: What motivates the players most

The news around the issue of coronavirus changes almost every hour. Simon Rolfes, Bayer 04 sporting director, provides an insight into the current situation at the Werkself with head coach Peter Bosz and his team today (Wednesday) setting out individual training regimes for use at home on this Wednesday morning. Simon Rolfes on…
crop_20200201_schueler_rolfes_091.jpg

…the situation at the Werkself: The situation isn’t easy for anybody involved. This morning we gave the players the latest information and advice of how to act in the next few weeks.

…the arrangements made: Everybody's health comes first. That's why there have been political measures relating to how we behave. We all have to adhere to that. And our medical director Dr Dittmar made that clear to the squad again today.

…the concerns of the first team players: The biggest worry is about health and not just of the players themselves but also the welfare of their families. That's what motivates the players most at the moment.

…the individual training regimes: Today, we gave all the players home training plans. Our coaching staff have worked these out in the past two weeks to be ready for this particular scenario. We are confident we will be well prepared in the event the Bundesliga and the other competitions get going again at some point.

…the loss of income from matchdays: At the moment, it's impossible to predict the scale of losses for the clubs. Of course, we have to react if the financial state of Bundesliga clubs are under threat and take appropriate measures at the earliest possible moment. But it's still too early for that at the moment.

…a possible abandonment of the Bundesliga season: I find it very difficult to imagine that scenario at the moment. If the health situation stabilises and the external circumstances allow it then it is in everybody's interest to complete the competitions in as proper a manner as possible. The postponement of the European Championship gives us more room for manoeuvre.

Related News

Robert Andrich und Co. nach Abpfiff
Bundesliga - 01.03.2026

Werkself review #B04M05: ‘We lacked rhythm and intensity on the ball’

The Werkself conceded a goal at home for the first time since the beginning of January 67 minutes into the game against FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday. Jarell Quansah levelled late on for the final score of 1-1 to secure a point and avoid a first home defeat in six games. Bayer 04 were very critical of their performance after the game. The Werkself review.

Show more
Rudi Vollborn
Bayer 04 - 01.03.2026

Rudi recounts…: Vollborn’s March highlights

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…

Show more
Fanclub-Ehrung mit Fernando Carro in der Halbzeit
Fans - 28.02.2026

Bayer 04 honour six fan clubs for decades of loyalty at Mainz game

From special edition jerseys to fan banners, the home game against Mainz 05 was all about the many Bayer 04 fan clubs. Accordingly, a fitting tribute to the long-standing Werkself supporters was not to be missed during half-time in the Bundesliga match. Fernando Carro, CEO, honoured the up to 50-year anniversaries of six fan clubs in front of the coaches' benches at the BayArena.

Show more
Late goal secures point against Mainz | 24th matchday
Werkself-TV - 28.02.2026

TV highlights of 1-1 draw against Mainz 05

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against Mainz 05 on Matchday 24 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Alejandro Grimaldo
Bundesliga - 28.02.2026

1-1 draw with Mainz 05 - late strike secures a point

A late goal secured a point for Bayer 04 at home to FSV Mainz 05 in a match that saw the Black and Reds dominant in the second half. Despite lots of possession, the Werkself initially found few gaps and fell behind after 67 minutes when Sheraldo Becker scored in a Mainz counter-attack. In the closing stages, Leverkusen threw everything forward once again and equalised through Jarell Quansah (88').

Show more