Roger Hampel
Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a prominent force in the Bundesliga and Europa League, has demonstrated its dedication to leadership continuity by extending Simon Rolfes' contract as sporting managing director until 2028. Rolfes, who succeeded Rudi Völler in 2022, has been integral to the club's strategy, blending his rich playing experience with astute management skills.
Werner Wenning, chair of the shareholders committee, praised Rolfes for his unique ability to merge his on-field expertise with managerial demands, highlighting his profound understanding of the game, talent scouting acumen, and alignment with Bayer 04's core values.
Rolfes' journey with Bayer 04 began in 2005, transitioning from a distinguished playing career, including 377 appearances and 49 goals for the Werkself, to an impactful role in management. His tenure as a player was marked by significant contributions to the team, notably as captain, and his national representation for Germany in the 2008 European Championships. Post-retirement, Rolfes enhanced his credentials with a UEFA 'Master for International Players' qualification, returning to Bayer 04 in a leadership capacity in 2018.
In his own words on LinkedIn, Simon Rolfes expressed his excitement over the contract extension:
It seems like it’s now my turn to use the pen… 🖊 I can say with ease how thrilled I am to extend my contract. Bayer 04 Leverkusen was and is a part of my life. Starting out as a player in 2005, I have experienced a lot here and I am glad that I can contribute to the further development of the club. I’d like to thank Werner Wenning and the Supervisory board of Bayer for the trust over the last few years and for now allowing me to continue what we have started here for the years to come. We are constantly striving to bring Bayer 04 forward. It’s a pleasure to work with our committed and professional team in the sporting department, we all have a fantastic relationship. Together we have evolved and from our recent successes this season, it’s evident that we are heading in the right direction. Speaking of development, over the last five years Fernando Carro de Prada and I have developed a very good relationship. To work as closely as we do, we need our strong bond and to have a lot of trust in each other. It’s something I think we have established together very well. We have already achieved a lot in the last few years, and I can safely say that I really enjoy working in such a professional environment. I can’t wait to continue on this path together. Stay tuned, Simon
Sources: Bayer 04 Leverkusen / https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/bayer04/bayer-04-seal-long-term-deal-with-simon-rolfes
Simon Rolfes via Linkedin