Simon Rolfes: "I wanted to make time in my first year as Managing Director to look over the structures and procedures in the sporting area – and make adjustments as necessary. The creation of the new position is a result of this process and I'm very happy that we have been able to appoint Thomas Eichin in this role." The experience, commitment and leadership ability of Eichin's, plus the very close corporation to date, have made him the ideal candidate for this position, according to Rolfes.
Thomas Eichin: "I didn't plan to take this step in my career. But the job is very exciting, takes account of the high demands in a modern sports organisation and, beyond that, offers lots of possibilities to develop it. I'm very happy with the confidence Simon Rolfes and Bayer 04 have in me. With my experience of 25 years in professional sport, I’d like to make my contribution to helping the club be more professional and more successful in the future."
Eichin's areas of responsibility will include the areas of staff, nutrition, organisation, infrastructure and logistics. Beyond that, the new 'head of professional football' will also provide a link from the professional teams to the medical section but also to other areas of the club.
Rolfes and Eichin will temporarily cover the vacant position of Head of Performance Centre until further notice. Rolfes: "We have made a number of changes in the youth section recently. But it remains a challenge for us. We will carry out a careful candidate and selection process to come up with an excellent and long-term solution to meet the demands of Bayer 04."
The areas of scouting and squad planning remain unaffected by the new structure. Kim Falkenberg, as Head of Recruitment, reports directly to the Bayer 04 Sporting Managing Director. "Kim Falkenberg has done an excellent job in his section in recent years. His role has assumed even more responsibility with the departure of Tim Steidten earlier in the year. I'm happy that he is part of our sports management team."
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 0-1 loss against TSG Hoffenheim on the 19th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
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The Bayer 04 Women suffered a setback in the race for third place in the Bundesliga table. Coach Roberto Pätzold's team lost 1-0 at home to direct rivals TSG Hoffenheim on Sunday afternoon, with a penalty after two minutes deciding the match. With 32 points and a game in hand, TSG have moved above the Werkself, who remain on 31 points. There is now a three-week international break before the remaining seven Bundesliga matches.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without defender Loïc Badé for the time being. The Frenchman suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh in Saturday’s 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at FC Union Berlin. The diagnosis was the result of an MRI scan this Sunday morning.
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It is an expression of solidarity and a tribute to the unique fan culture Under the Cross: Bayer 04 Leverkusen make a special statement with the "50 Years of Fan Clubs" jersey. To mark the founding of the "First Fan Club 1976 Leverkusen", which was followed by many more over the years right up to the present day, the Bundesliga club is commemorating 50 years of passion with this new jersey. Highs and lows, successes celebrated together as well as defeats suffered are manifested in this piece of white fabric, a symbol of unwavering identification with the Werkself.
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