Back
19.05.2021Bayer 04

Seoane is new head coach – Wolf returns to DFB

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed the Swiss Gerardo Seoane as the new head coach. The title-winning manager with Young Boys Bern has signed a deal to 30 June 2024. Hannes Wolf, on loan at Bayer 04 from the German Football Association (DFB) for the last eight games of the season, returns to his position as Germany U19 coach after successfully completing his mission of qualification for the Europa League.
20210518_B04_Gerardo_Soeane_10561.jpg

"Hannes Wolf stabilised a deeply unsettled team under difficult conditions several weeks ago. The team were able to end a negative run of results under him and secure European qualification. Bayer 04 are very grateful to Hannes and his training staff for that achievement," declared sporting director Simon Rolfes.

"We want to challenge again next season with Gerardo Seoane. He has won the Swiss league title three times in succession with Young Boys and also won the cup in 2020 – and that with an attractive and attacking approach that is very close to our philosophy at Leverkusen," added Rolfes. "For a long time, we have defined ourselves by our attacking, dominant and technical style. And in the coming years, we want to develop that way of playing in tandem with Gerardo Seoane and achieve success."

Sporting managing director Rudi Völler assesses Hannes Wolf's work in the past two months as "effective and productive. We were on the rocks. Hannes and his coaching staff brought new life to the team. Our idea worked. Now he returns the DFB as agreed. But I'm convinced we'll see Hannes Wolf again at a professional club."

Wolf: appreciation for the confidence of Bayer 04

40-year-old Wolf emphasised his "appreciation for the confidence of Bayer 04 and above all the staff supporting the team from getting out of a very difficult situation to fight the target of European qualification. We achieved that target and the team deserves our respect for giving their all again in spite of significant injury problems," said Wolf. "Now I'm looking forward to returning to the DFB my work as the Germany U19 coach."

With the 42-year-old Gerardo Seoane, as Völler explains, "we have brought in a coach who has established Young Boys as the undisputed number one team in Switzerland over the past three years. It's impressive the way Bern have dominated the league there under his management. We are very much looking forward to working with Gerardo. He will be an asset to the Bundesliga."

Seoane brings in Schnarwiler as assistant coach

For Seoane, who has dual Swiss and Spanish nationality and speaks six languages fluently, the job after three years at Young Boys Bern is a "step up to the next level. Of course, we Swiss always watch the Bundesliga. It's a top European league and Bayer 04 Leverkusen have consistently been at the top for many years," declared the 42-year-old, who brings Patrick Schnarwiler with him as assistant coach. "I find it extremely attractive to be able to coach this Bundesliga squad with such potential," said Seoane. “In the very professional and ambitious environment here on the Rhine, I see ideal conditions for playing attractive football and competing amongst the top teams in the league and in Europe. I'm really looking forward to this challenge."

Related News

Endspiel
U19 - 18.05.2025

U19s lose 5-4 to Köln in national final despite comeback

A thrilling final but with no reward: the Bayer 04 U19s lost 5-4 to 1. FC Köln in the final for the German championship. Sergi Runge's side went into a commanding lead through goals by Artem Stepanov and Jeremiah Mensah, but the visitors battled back and turned it into a 4-2 lead before half-time. Leverkusen then showed their own comeback qualities in the second period, with Francis Onyeka and Kerim Alajbegovic restoring partiy, but Luis Stapelmann snatched the winner for Köln late on.

Show more
Alonso
Bundesliga - 18.05.2025

Werkself Review #M05B04: Strange start, positive ending

They had their hands full in the VAR centre in Cologne: eight goals were scored at the MEWA Arena on Saturday afternoon, but only four of them were allowed in the end as the Werkself and 1. FSV Mainz 05 closed the season with a 2-2 draw. It means Bayer 04 end the 2024/25 campaign as runners-up with 69 points, representing the fourth-best season in the club's history. What's more, the Werkself are now unbeaten away from home in two whole Bundesliga seasons, with their last away defeat coming exactly two years ago on Matchday 34 of the 2022/23 season at VfL Bochum. The Black-and-Reds can continue the record run next season - albeit without Alonso and Tah. Read what else the eventful final game for the head coach and the defensive leader had to offer in the Werkself Review.

Show more
Werkself end 2024/25 with away record | 34th matchday
Werkself-TV - 17.05.2025

TV highlights of 2-2 draw at Mainz 05

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-2 draw at Mainz 05 on the 34th matchday of the Bundesliga 2024/25...

Show more
Letzter Spieltag
Bundesliga - 17.05.2025

Werkself end 2024/25 with away record after 2-2 draw in Mainz

Bayer 04’s final game of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season saw VAR drama and produced a new record for away results with a 2-2 draw in Mainz. The hosts had several goals ruled out before Paul Nebel put them ahead. Patrik Schick’s brace then turned things around in the second half before Jonathan Burkardt’s penalty levelled the game again. It means Leverkusen have now gone 34 away games without defeat in the Bundesliga, which no team has ever done before.

Show more
Bayer 04
Bundesliga - 17.05.2025

Matchday news #M05B04: 3,500 travelling supporters for final game

The Werkself bring down the curtain on their 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign with a game away at Mainz on Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 meeting at the MEWA Arena.

Show more