The successor to Bosz as head coach is Hannes Wolf to the end of the current season. The 39-year-old joins Bayer 04 from the German Football Association (DFB) where he was working as the Germany U18 coach. Wolf will be supported at Leverkusen by assistant coach Peter Hermann.
"Given the developments on the pitch over recent weeks, we have come to the conclusion we can no longer avoid parting company with Peter Bosz," explained sporting managing director Rudi Völler. "The 3-0 defeat at Hertha Berlin on Sunday was unfortunately indicative with our team again and again falling into the same pattern. We have not managed to stop making repetitive mistakes and get back to winning ways. After an objective and very open analysis of the sporting situation we have therefore agreed to make the break in spite of our great appreciation for Peter Bosz," said Völler.
"With the new coaches we want to turn a corner and get back on track," declared sporting director Simon Rolfes. "Hannes Wolf has performed impressively with big clubs as a very young coach – particularly impressive was the promotion to the Bundesliga with VfB Stuttgart. Hannes represents a style of football we want to play at Bayer 04: intense, offensive, aggressive, attractive. And, of course, successful – our European ambitions are still alive and we are in a Europa League spot in sixth place at the moment and we want to hold onto that at least," Rolfes made clear. "We are convinced we can achieve that with Hannes Wolf and Peter Hermann."
"I'm very happy about the confidence shown in me," declared Wolf, "Bayer 04 are not just any old club for me. Leverkusen has for many years been one of the most attractive clubs in German football. There is great ambition here and a very talented, exciting team. We have every opportunity of qualifying for Europe. It's down to us in the remaining eight games to achieve the maximum for Bayer 04 Leverkusen."
Wolf will be assisted by Peter Hermann. The signing of the 69-year-old is special as Hermann has already been at Bayer 04 for 29 years as a player, assistant and caretaker coach. "Peter's special strength is working with young players and we've got a number of them. As a player, I enjoyed our years together here at Leverkusen and I learned a lot from him," explained sporting director Rolfes. Hermann's view: "I've come full circle. I'm back here where my football career really took off and where I feel at home. I'll be happy if I can help the club."
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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