Simon Rolfes succeeded club legend Rudi Völler as Managing Director Sports at Bayer 04 on 1 July 2022. Prior to that, the Ibbenbüren native had been working as sporting director for three and a half years and, before that, as head of youth and development for five months.
Rolfes started his football career at TuS Recke. He signed for Werder Bremen at U19 level and then progressed to their first team. Following a successful season at second division Alemannia Aachen, where he played in the UEFA Cup, Rolfes moved to Bayer 04 in 2005. He made 377 appearances and scored 49 goals for the Werkself. He also went on to play for Germany, earning 26 caps and also taking part in Euro 2008.
After hanging up his boots in 2015, Rolfes ran two companies, worked as a football pundit for ZDF and also completed a two-year UEFA course as a 'Master for International Players' (MIP). The subject of his dissertation was 'Football academies in Europe'. The Bayer 04 honorary captain visited Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, Tottenham Hotspur and PSV Eindhoven in the process. He spoke to academy directors, managers and presidents, as well as analysing youth team training sessions and the different approaches to youth development.
TuS Recke (1986-99), SV Werder Bremen (1999-January 2003), SSV Reutlingen (January-June 2003), SV Werder Bremen (2003/04), Alemannia Aachen (2004/05), Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2005-15)
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Ten days, nine training sessions, one friendly plus countless impressions, insights and experiences: At the end of the Bayer 04 Brazil Tour in Rio de Janeiro, managing director of sport Simon Rolfes and head coach Erik ten Hag draw initial conclusions. In addition, Rolfes talks about squad planning and competition while ten Hag sums up his first days of training with the whole squad. The key statements from the duo.
Show moreThe friendly against the CR Flamengo U20 team on Friday, 18 July (kick-off: 14:30/19:30 CEST) represents the sporting highlight of the current Bayer 04 Brazil Tour. Ahead of the clash at the Estádio da Gávea against the highly successful youth team, there was a media event with the two Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes plus head coach Erik ten Hag. The trio talked about the forthcoming opponents, first impressions of Brazil and the reasons for holding the training camp in the land of the five-time World Cup winners. Here are the key statements.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will partner closely with parent-company Bayer during its preseason tour to Brazil from July 14 to 24 this month. The backing from Bayer of the “Bayer 04 Brasil Tour” has been crucial in organizing the groundbreaking training camp for ten days, plus a host of local activities and community events capped by the match against Flamengo's U20 team on July 18 at Estádio da Gávea.
Show moreShortly after head coach Xabi Alonso announced he was leaving Bayer 04 at the end of the season at the pre-match press conference ahead of the home game against Borussia Dortmund (Sunday, 11 May, 15:30 CEST), sporting managing director Simon Rolfes shared his views of the decision in a media conference and talked about the successor to Alonso as well as squad planning.
Show moreAt the Laureus World Sports Awards 2025, also known as the 'Oscars of Sports', the Bayer 04 managing directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes were guests at the impressive Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid. The Werkself did not win the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award on Monday night after the the impressive double winning season but Carro said at the event: "It's an honour to be here – a sign that we achieved something special last year by winning the league title without defeat and the DFB Pokal. That milestone will remain forever."
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