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."
The Golden Boy Top 100 traditionally lists Europe’s most promising young players. In the latest update, published to mark the start of the new season, four current Werkself players – alongside loanee Francis Onyeka – feature on the list. This means Bayer 04 have the most players in contention of any Bundesliga club.
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Goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe will continue to play for Bayer 04 Leverkusen next season. The loan of the Germany U23 international, who joined from Liverpool in the winter, has been extended by a further year.
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The Bayer 04 delegation, led by Fernando Carro, CEO, concluded their multi-day trip to Brazil with a visit to the community-based organisation Bola Pra Frente in Rio de Janeiro – founded by former Werkself player Jorginho. During the visit, Bayer 04 committed to extending support for the Bola Pra Frente project for a further five years. In addition, Jorginho, a member of the Brazil 1994 World Cup-winning squad, was named Bayer 04’s second official club legend. With the visit to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the club has strengthened the relationships built up over the years in one of Bayer 04’s most important international markets.
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Ten years after retiring as a player, Kristina Sundov is returning to the Bayer 04 Women’s team as assistant coach. The 39-year-old former Croatia international takes over from Remzi Kahraman, who has taken up a new challenge abroad. She has been given a contract to 30 June 2028.
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The training pitches at the BayArena are already buzzing with activity again, even before training officially begins next week. On Monday morning, a small group from the Werkself first-team squad completed a session lasting around an hour. Both new and familiar faces were present.
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