Academy director Jungheim: Homework from Juve and Atletico

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the DFB has suspended the Bundesliga youth leagues until further notice. The Leverkusen U19 and U17 players have mostly trained at home on their own. “This situation is a real challenge for us all,” declared youth director Jungheim. Week by week, the youth coaches send the U19 and U17 players individual training plans. These primarily include strength and stamina drills. But there is something crucial missing at the moment.

That is the direct, daily contact between players and coaches. That is essential for the sporting and personal development of the youngsters. “Football depends on emotions and proximity,” said Jungheim. There are regular video conferences with the whole squad as well as a range of individual conversations via phone and social media. Improvisation is the order of the day at the moment.

Preparations for possible restarT

Jungheim and Co are relying on tried and tested methods – as best they can – in relation to the sporting aspect: Coaching scientists and physiotherapists are also available as required during this break. And, as with the introduction of the amended coaching protocol in the summer of 2019, the four coaches of the U19 and U17 teams Markus von Ahlen, Patrick Weiser, Jan Hoepner and Thomas Zdebel will continue to work individually with the young talents across both squads. The Bayer 04 youth players should be as ready as possible for a restart of fixtures according to the prevailing regulations and circumstances – and able to carry on at the level of the last league matches.

“Recognised what’s missing”

13 out of a possible 15 points have come from convincing performances against top teams: In particular, the U19s were in good shape before the season was suspended. “The second half of the season to date has shown that players, coaches and management have done their homework,” said Jungheim. The UEFA Youth League matches against Juventus and Atletico Madrid in the autumn of last year showed the management that the team did not have the “ability to deliver high intensity and set work rate for 90 minutes. We’ve compensated for that and worked hard on so my assessment of the season to date is very positive.” Another important step in the development of the club’s talents and their route to professional football.

Talents from the region

The youth policy of the club states, “that all Bayer 04 youth players are supported at the highest level.” In addition, it is hoped “our most talented youth players develop so that can take the final step into our first team squad.” Promising talents, both in the U19s and the U17s, are in both squads according to Jungheim. They mostly come from Leverkusen and the surrounding area – and not without good reason.

Bayer 04 place great value on recruiting players from the region to the Academy with the signing of a talent from further afield being an absolute exception. “The catchment area of North Rhine-Westphalia is very big but there is also a lot of competition,” explained Jungheim taking into account the seven Bundesliga clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia. “You need good scouting to find the best talents.”

From Reinhardt to Havertz

The scouting department at Bayer 04 has been continually expanded and professionalised over the past few years. The department, currently only working on archive material at the moment during the suspension of fixtures, works hand in hand with the youth and first team squads.

The same principle applies to the relationship between the youth and professional squads: The almost daily communication goes through Xaver Zembrod, assistant coach to Peter Bosz, as the interface between youth and first team sections. That close co-operation is reflected in results. “We don’t talk about how we bring players through from our youth section to the senior squad but rather how we get them onto the pitch,” said Jungheim who also emphasises: “Our first team players have achieved a very high level in the recent past. Of course, that makes the step-up from the youth teams more demanding.”

However, Jungheim is sure of one thing: Even in the time after the coronavirus pandemic and the suspension of fixtures, other Bayer 04 players will break through to the senior squad – to follow on from well-known names like Knut Reinhardt, Tim Wiese, Benjamin Henrichs and Kai Havertz…