"Together with Xabi Alonso we have written a success story just through winning the league title without defeat in a way not seen in German football," said Werner Wenning, chair of the shareholders committee at Bayer 04. "He was an outstanding ambassador at all times as coach both for our club as well as for the whole Bundesliga. Therefore, we are very grateful to Xabi Alonso."
Fernando Carro, as CEO, highlighted the sporting reputation that Bayer 04 has gained over the past two and a half seasons both at home and abroad: "Bayer 04 have achieved lasting recognition in the football world through the targeted success under Xabi Alonso. Bringing the Meisterschale to Leverkusen unbeaten plus winning the DFB Pokal, reaching the Europa League final and winning the Supercup makes us very proud," declared Carro.
Sporting managing director Simon Rolfes assesses the Alonso era as a "milestone in the development of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Together with Xabi, we have put together a team that has impressed the whole football world through quality on the pitch and mentality," said Rolfes. "We are proud of the big steps forward and the standing of the club today and wish Xabi all the best in his future roles. I'm sure our paths will often cross again."
For Alonso, the brilliant first chapter in his career as a professional coach ends with this departure from Leverkusen. "I owe great thanks to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, my players and staff, all the employees of the club and last but not least the fantastic fans. Our success was the result of an outstanding team performance," said Alonso. "This club, who showed exceptional trust in me, very much deserved to win the German league title for the first time. My thanks and admiration go to everybody who helped to make this triumph happen including the DFB Pokal win in Berlin," said Alonso. "Bayer 04 are ready for the future. The positive path will continue and I will be excited to follow it."
The next friendly for Bayer 04 is coming up: The Werkself are away to top-flight Dutch club Fortuna Sittard on Friday, 1 August (kick-off: 19:00 CEST). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team brings you the latest information on the fixture at the Fortuna Sittard Stadion…
Show moreAn independent playing philosophy, full-time coaches and the long-term objective of the first-team squad: With a new structure in the junior women's section, Bayer 04 are aiming to achieve recognition as an official DFB talent support centre in Women's football in the 2025/26 season. The key preconditions have already been met. Bayer04.de provides an overview of the new structure in the junior women's teams at the Werkself.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen and the leading gardening equipment manufacturer STIGA have extended their successful partnership. As an official partner in the Sponsors Club of the Champions League participants, STIGA has already provided support to the Bayer 04 ground staff in the maintenance of the pitch at the BayArena as well as the other club training grounds. Under the new agreement, the company, based in Straelen in North Rhine Westphalia, has agreed a two-year extension with the current Bundesliga runners-up and 2024 double winners. The contract now runs to 30 June 2027.
Show moreWerkself TV shows the highlights of the 2-0 victory in the friendly match against VfL Bochum 1848...
Show moreBayer 04 claimed a commanding 2-0 victory in their second 2025/26 pre-season friendly at VfL Bochum 1848. In front of a crowd of over 15,000 at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, Jonas Hofmann and Patrik Schick netted the goals before the break against the Bundesliga relegated team.
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