Simon Rolfes: "I wanted to make time in my first year as Managing Director to look over the structures and procedures in the sporting area – and make adjustments as necessary. The creation of the new position is a result of this process and I'm very happy that we have been able to appoint Thomas Eichin in this role." The experience, commitment and leadership ability of Eichin's, plus the very close corporation to date, have made him the ideal candidate for this position, according to Rolfes.
Thomas Eichin: "I didn't plan to take this step in my career. But the job is very exciting, takes account of the high demands in a modern sports organisation and, beyond that, offers lots of possibilities to develop it. I'm very happy with the confidence Simon Rolfes and Bayer 04 have in me. With my experience of 25 years in professional sport, I’d like to make my contribution to helping the club be more professional and more successful in the future."
Eichin's areas of responsibility will include the areas of staff, nutrition, organisation, infrastructure and logistics. Beyond that, the new 'head of professional football' will also provide a link from the professional teams to the medical section but also to other areas of the club.
Rolfes and Eichin will temporarily cover the vacant position of Head of Performance Centre until further notice. Rolfes: "We have made a number of changes in the youth section recently. But it remains a challenge for us. We will carry out a careful candidate and selection process to come up with an excellent and long-term solution to meet the demands of Bayer 04."
The areas of scouting and squad planning remain unaffected by the new structure. Kim Falkenberg, as Head of Recruitment, reports directly to the Bayer 04 Sporting Managing Director. "Kim Falkenberg has done an excellent job in his section in recent years. His role has assumed even more responsibility with the departure of Tim Steidten earlier in the year. I'm happy that he is part of our sports management team."
The 2025 regular general meeting of the TSV Bayer 04 football department was once again characterised by emotional farewells to deceased members and honours for long-standing members. In addition, the Bayer 04 management and respective department heads reported on the events of the past 12 months. There were no elections this year.
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The Werkself are away to 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 on Bundesliga Matchday 28. The game is on Saturday, 5 April (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). The Bayer 04 Fan Liaison team brings you the latest information on the fixture…
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Calling all girls. Have you ever dreamed of wearing the shirt with the Bayer Cross? Playing in Black and Red like your role models Kristin Kögel, Janou Levels, Friederike Repohl and Co. from the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga squad? Now’s your chance! Our female youth teams are looking for new talented players. So Bayer 04 is organising a Talent Day with trial training sessions for junior players on 27 April 2025.
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The next international break is coming up before the Bayer 04 Women play FC Köln in the Bundesliga in the middle of April. Eleven Leverkusen Women are on the road with their national teams again with different targets. Bayer04.de provides an overview of the international call-ups for the Werkself Women.
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There is still great frustration the day after the DFB Pokal exit: After the game in Bielefeld where the double winners were at times unable to perform to their usual standards, head coach Xabi Alonso, captain Lukas Hradecky and Co. were self-critical but they also paid Arminia Bielefeld deserved and highest respect, and wanted to turn this negative experience into energy for the remaining games in the Bundesliga. The Werkself review of the DFB Pokal semi-final.
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