Key Figures
Reiner Calmund, Don Calli, practically invented modern Bayer
Reiner Calmund, Don Calli, practically invented modern Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
04 Leverkusen. The larger-than-life man from the Erft district gave the works club its profile and, through his mixture of instinct, connections and shameless optimism, helped turn it into a force in German and European football.
Ulf Kirsten, “the Schwatte,” was one of the
Ulf Kirsten, “the Schwatte,” was one of the most famous East German imports brought in by Wolfgang Karnath.
most famous East German imports brought in by Wolfgang Karnath. The striker from Saxony became Leverkusen’s record goalscorer and one of the defining faces of the club.
Rudi Völler went from returning star to Bayer
Rudi Völler went from returning star to Bayer legend.
legend. The traveller who had celebrated major success in France and Italy returned to Germany, became a central figure in Leverkusen, and later even managed the club as a sporting executive.
Rüdiger Vollborn, the record man, may never have
Rüdiger Vollborn, the record man, may never have become a full Germany international, but the goalkeeper from Berlin became a club icon through sheer ...
become a full Germany international, but the goalkeeper from Berlin became a club icon through sheer longevity and loyalty.
Erich Ribbeck, “Sir,” was the coach whose measured
Erich Ribbeck, “Sir,” was the coach whose measured way of speaking delighted the tabloids and who delivered one of the club’s biggest successes, the U...
way of speaking delighted the tabloids and who delivered one of the club’s biggest successes, the UEFA Cup of 1988.
B04 vs. league average
Key Figures — Update 2020–2026
Xabi Alonso: the miracle coach.
Xabi Alonso: the miracle coach. He arrived in
Xabi Alonso: the miracle coach.
2022 as a relative nobody from Real Sociedad B. Within two years he made Leverkusen champions. He turned down Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. His tactical system — possession-based, pressing-intensive, positionally flexible — revolutionised the Bundesliga.
Florian Wirtz: the wonderkid. Bundesliga debut at 17,
Florian Wirtz: the wonderkid.
the youngest goalscorer in league history, a Germany international at 18. In the championship season of 2023/24, the hub of Leverkusen’s entire game. His market value rose above 130 million euros.
Granit Xhaka: the leader. Arrived from Arsenal in
Granit Xhaka: the leader.
2023 and became the midfield general. His calm on the ball and his passing quality were decisive for Alonso’s system.
Simon Rolfes: the sporting chief. The former Leverkusen
Simon Rolfes: the sporting chief.
midfielder reworked the squad cleverly as managing director for sport and signed exactly the right players for Alonso’s footballing philosophy.
B04 — Financial Stability Score
Double-Saison und Wirtz-Transfer haben die Bilanz auf den stärksten Stand der Clubgeschichte gebracht. Aber: Das Geschäftsmodell steht und fällt mit Bayer AG. Wenn der Konzern — in der tiefsten Krise seit Bestehen — das Fußball-Engagement hinterfragt, hat Leverkusen keine alternative Erlösbasis. Die Bilanz zeigt einen Top-4-Club; die Konzernabhängigkeit zeigt eine Werkself.