Bayer Leverkusen extends contracts with managing directors Carro and Rolfes

Simon Rolfes, a former professional at the club, is responsible for sporting matters as Managing Director Sport at Bayer 04. Under his responsibility, Leverkusen was successful in both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal under coach Xabi Alonso in the 2023/24 season, winning the double.

Supervisory Board Chairman Werner Wenning paid tribute to the work of the leadership duo. "The greatest sporting achievements in our club's history are just as much the result of their work as the sustainable development of the entire club," Wenning had distributed via the club. With this reasoning, the shareholders' committee recommended the extension.

Starting position after the 2024 double

The decision comes at a time when Leverkusen wants to consolidate the recent sporting success. After winning the double in 2024, the club must manage the transition into the following seasons under new sporting leadership. With the extension of the two managing directors, the club is creating the prerequisites to continue along the path it has taken, according to its own account.

The personnel decisions are also a signal to the sporting competition in the Bundesliga. After winning the championship, Leverkusen is one of the clubs considered title contenders in the league. The long-term commitment of the managing directors is intended to secure the strategic direction, regardless of short-term sporting fluctuations.

Reactions and outlook

For the fans, the extension means continuity at the top of the club for the time being. On social media, some supporters reacted positively to the news, citing the economic stability and sporting perspective under the previous leadership. Critical voices were not documented in the available reports.

The club announced that it would provide further details of the contract at the appropriate time. Until then, it remains open which further personnel changes in the sporting management could be on the cards in the new season. What is clear is that the management team around Carro and Rolfes will continue to be responsible for the club's course.

With the extension, Leverkusen is relying on a proven leadership model of commercial and sporting management. The separation of the two managing director areas had been presented as a success factor in the past, particularly in the phase of sporting consolidation after 2024.

Observers see the decision as an indication that the club is planning for the long term and is not reacting to short-term sporting results. In a league where coaching changes and reshuffles at the top are frequent, the early extension of the leadership duo stands out.