Bayer 04 released Metaxas (pictured above with Markus von Ahlen) from his role as coach with the U17 to U19 teams after an official approach from Darmstadt on Friday evening. Together with the previous Bochum U19 coach Grammozis, Metaxas is expected to help the Lilies move up from the bottom third of the table.
"Iraklis Metaxas has done a brilliant coaching job with us along with Markus von Ahlen, Patrick Weiser and Jan Hoepner," declared sporting director Simon Rolfes. "It's recognition of that work and a great chance for Iraklis to be able to show his qualities at such an established pro club in the second division," added Rolfes. And Helmut Jungheim, as director of the Leverkusen Academy added, "IIraklis has contributed a lot of ideas as an experienced and proficient coach over the past two and a half years. We will make a decision about his successor in the next few days."
For Metaxas, the move to Darmstadt represents the next step in his coaching career. "I had a great time at Leverkusen. I'd like to thank everybody involved for all the great work we've done together and I wish Bayer 04 every success both at the first team and youth levels."
With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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A successful fourth preseason friendly ahead of the start of the training camp: The Werkself secured a 3-0 victory over Rot-Weiss Essen at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The goals in what was a commanding and dominant performance by Leverkusen from the outset were scored by Ibrahim Maza (8'), Patrik Schick from the penalty spot (23’) and, in the second half, Montrell Culbreath with a header (79’). The team set off for their training camp in Blankenhain in the Weimarer Land region after the game.
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Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. Since February 2021, the personal Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month…
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You have voted – your ‘Team of the Quarter-Century’ has been decided! This historic selection, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2024, features honorary captains, Bundesliga champions, double winners and Champions League finalists. Edmond Tapsoba is the only player from the current Bayer 04 squad to make it into the starting XI, while his team-mate Patrik Schick is on the bench. Simon Rolfes, the current managing director sport, is also in the lie-up. A truly special team that brings together a quarter of a century of Bayer 04 history – and has left a decisive mark on the club.
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Following Patrik Schick, Mark Flekken, Ibrahim Maza and Kerim Alajbegovic earlier this week, the next World Cup participant is back on the training ground in Leverkusen: On Thursday 30 July, Malik Tillman rejoined the squad, completing his first training session under head coach Carles Martínez.
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