The founding is accompanied by the decision to actively shape the future of women's football in Germany together in a sustainable manner, to develop potential and to maximise professionalisation through significant investment. In accordance with the adopted statutes, the FBL e.V. also elected a three-member executive committee, headed by president Katharina Kiel (Eintracht Frankfurt). The committee, which will represent the interests of the club association, is completed by first vice president Veronica Saß (Bayern Munich) and second vice president Florian Zeutschler (SGS Essen). Following the founding ceremony, the first constitutional meeting of the FBL e.V. took place with the representatives of all the founding clubs.
"Today is historic, because the founding of the FBL e.V. is the biggest step in the development of women's football in Germany to date," said Linda Schöttler, manager Women's football at Bayer 04: "Since I took over the department 16 years ago, we have long since been overtaken by some international leagues. Today's founding act has created the basis for us to move forward. The real work is only just beginning."
In recent months, the clubs have driven forward a joint process to strengthen women's football in Germany. Following the successful collaboration in the "Geschäftsplan Frauen-Bundesliga Projekt GbR", the FBL e.V. has now been created. Bayer 04 and the other clubs have joined forces in this organisation to ensure the modern, professional and sustainable development of the league and to further increase the economic performance of professional women's football.
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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