Back
12.08.2021Bayer 04

Toppi is 70 – Memories of the legendary 2001/02 UCL campaign

He will spend his birthday with his family and the party with friends will follow later: Today (Thursday), Klaus Toppmöller celebrates his 70th birthday. As the Bayer 04 coach, he took the Werkself to the Champions League final in 2001/02 and led them to the DFB Cup final as well as securing the runners-up spot in the Bundesliga. Happy birthday, Toppi. Bayer 04 wish you many happy returns and the best of health.
crop_20020430_B04_MANU_0024.jpg

He still gets around a lot as he explained on his mobile, stuck in a traffic jam on his way back to Rivenich. Klaus Toppmöller has for many years lived with his wife Rosi in the Eifel near to Trier. Toppi had just come back from Munich where he was helping his son Dino move. The 40-year-old was appointed assistant coach at FC Bayern in July after having worked with head coach Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig before. Of course, Klaus Toppmöller will be a frequent visitor to the Allianz Arena. And, as his daughter Sarah-Nina moved with her husband last year to the Vierwaldstätter See in Switzerland, he is looking forward to many trips to see his children and grandchildren. Only his youngest son Tommy is still living near to his parents. Toppmöller is now a proud five-time grandfather. "I enjoy having lots of time for the family."

He no longer has ambitions of a coaching job. But, of course, football aficionados like him always watch lots of matches on television. Including special interest in those involving Bayer 04. "I wish the new coach Gerardo Seoane much success and I'd be very happy if Bayer 04 make it back to the Champions League." He is always happy to remember the legendary 2001/02 campaign in the Champions League.

In edition five the Werkself Magazin, Toppi takes a detailed trip down memory lane. On his 70th birthday and the 20th anniversary of that special season, the interview is now online. Click HERE to access the interview

Related News

crop_imago1073729639h.jpg
Bayer 04 - 26.09.2026

'It's about Germany': Bayer 04 supports bid for Olympics and Paralympics

Decision made: Germany will submit a bid to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) to host the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Munich. The representatives of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) voted for Munich over Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr at their extraordinary meeting in Baden-Baden on Saturday 26 September. Berlin had already withdrawn from the vote a few days earlier.

Show more
Michael Ballack
Bayer 04 - 26.09.2026

Michael Ballack turns 50 – Happy Birthday, Balle!

Former Werkself star Michael Ballack, who won the German Footballer of the Year award in 2002 while playing in Leverkusen, celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. Bayer 04 sends him its best wishes!

Show more
Lumbardha Misini und Paulina Tomasiak
Women - 25.09.2026

‘The toughest possible draw’: Women kick off DFB Pokal campaign at Viktoria Berlin

A challenging start to what will hopefully be a long journey: The Bayer 04 women’s team kick off their new DFB Pokal campaign on Sunday (14:00 CEST) against second-division leaders FC Viktoria Berlin. Coach Roberto Pätzold expects stiff resistance in the capital – and is counting on his team’s strong away form in the Bundesliga so far this term.

Show more
Fans im Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion
Women - 25.09.2026

Two more home games on sale: Tickets for Women’s Saturday fixtures now available

Attention Werkself fans: In addition to tickets for the floodlit home match against Werder Bremen, tickets are now also available for the Bayer 04 women’s team’s two subsequent fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Both matches in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga will take place at family-friendly kick-off times on Saturday afternoons. Here is the latest information on matchday ticket sales.

Show more