Key Figures
"Don Calli": He essentially "invented" Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The corpulent man from the Erft district devoted nearly 30 years of his life to the works club until his departure in 2004. As youth director, youth coach, stadium announcer and XXL manager, Calmund was the face, soul and architect of everything modern Leverkusen became…
"Der Schwatte" (The Dark One): The striker from Saxony was one of the famous GDR transfers engineered by Bayer legend Wolfgang Karnath. Karnath, known as Calmund's "right hand" with a legendary reputation in the scouting world, brought Kirsten to the Rhineland — where he became the Bundesliga's most prolific scorer of the 1990s…
From returnee to Bayer legend: That the globe-trotting world star, who had celebrated triumphs in France and Italy, returned to the Bundesliga at 34 was a sensation and a genuine coup by Bayer mastermind Reiner Calmund. Völler arrived to find a grey, almost loveless atmosphere — and transformed it into something worth caring about…
The record holder: Though the Berlin-born goalkeeper never won a senior cap for Germany, the 1981 U20 World Cup winner became immortal at Bayer. Signed from Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin, Vollborn amassed more appearances for the club than any other player — a monument of consistency and loyalty…
The "Sir": The Rhinelander, whom the tabloids nicknamed "Sir Erich" for his stately manner of expression, arrived at Bayer in 1985. Ribbeck, previously a coaching nomad, led the club to their first major trophy — the 1988 UEFA Cup — in the most dramatic fashion imaginable…
