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."
Matchday three in the league stage of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 takes Bayer 04 to Stade Brest. To be more exact to Guingamp where the game against the most westerly top-flight club in France will be played at the Stade de Roudouro on Wednesday, 23 October with the kick-off at 18.45 CEST. The match will be covered live on DAZN and on Werkself Radio. Up to then we will take you on the tour #aCROSSeurope and keep you up-to-date on the Werkself in Brittany.
Show moreThe Werkself face French club Stade Brest on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League. Both teams won their first two games in Europe's premier club competition. Kick-off is at 18:45 CEST this evening, Wednesday 23 October, at the Stade du Roudourou (Guingamp). Catch up with key information ahead of the clash.
Show moreStill unbeaten and now with seven points to their name: In the third match of the 2024/25 UEFA Youth League, Bayer 04 U19s earned a point at Stade Brest. In front of 3,000 spectators at the Stade Francis-Le Blé, Kerim Alajbegovic put Leverkusen ahead (24'), but the French side equalised shortly before the break. After the break, Artem Stepanov had the best chance for the Werkself but his shot hit the post and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Show moreBayer 04 are away to Stade Brest on Wednesday, 23 October (kick-off: 18.45 CEST at the Stade de Roudourou, live on DAZN) on matchday three in the UEFA Champions League. Ahead of the game, to be played in Guingamp, head coach Xabi Alonso and Martin Terrier spoke about their ambitions, the dangerous opponents as well as the personnel situation at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday night.
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