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

FBL e.V.
Women - 18.09.2026

DFB Bundestag: Transition of Women’s Bundesliga into FBL e.V. officially approved

From the 2027/28 season, the Women’s Bundesliga will be organised by an independent league association. Following the unanimous decision taken at the DFB Bundestag (national conference) on Friday afternoon, the league’s separation from the DFB is now official.

Show more
Medina und Messi
Bayer 04 - 18.09.2026

International fixtures: Nations League, AFCON qualifiers and friendlies

Following the Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig (Sunday, 20 September, 15:30 CEST), some of the Werkself first team players will be heading off for the first international break of the season. Here is an overview of the Bayer 04 players called up for their national teams and all the details of their upcoming matches.

Show more
Freiwillige Feuerwehrleute beim Spiel gegen NK Celje
Bayer 04 - 17.09.2026

222 members from volunteer fire brigades watch the home win against Celje at the BayArena

A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.

Show more
Werkself feiert mit den Fans
Europa League - 17.09.2026

Werkself review: 'Dominant Werkself' with 'room for improvement'

The Werkself were feeling quite satisfied following their 2–0 home win in their opening match of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League, particularly with the result. At the same time, players and coaches agreed that, in terms of their performance, there was “still room for improvement”, as Robert Andrich put it. For his part, Moussa Diaby emphasised the importance of the victory with which the team had kicked off the campaign, and spoke personally about how good it felt to have started in front of the “wonderful” Bayer 04 fans this Tuesday evening for the first time since his return. The Werkself review of the Europa League opener.

Show more