Latest news with #FernandoCarro
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bayer Leverkusen's Fernando Carro fires back at Hans-Joachim Watzke: 'I want an exciting Bundesliga. I'm happy when more clubs make life difficult for Bayern'
Speaking to Welt am Sonntag, Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has fired back at Hans-Joachim Watzke, following quotes he made about Florian Wirtz. Last month, the Dortmund CEO said: 'It's a real shame, especially for the DFL, that a player like Florian Wirtz is leaving the Bundesliga. I wouldn't have had a problem at all if he had gone to FC Bayern. That would have been better for the Bundesliga. It doesn't really matter for the national team. He'll play at the highest level in Liverpool, too. He could have worked better with Musiala in Munich, but two such good footballers can find each other anyway.' During the Wirtz transfer saga, Leverkusen were adamant that they would not sell to Bayern Munich, following Wirtz's completed move to Liverpool. Carro was asked if he was happy that the 22-year-old moved to the Premier League: 'Honestly, yes. I have a different opinion than Hans-Joachim Watzke. I don't understand how he, as the boss of Borussia Dortmund, could have been happy if Wirtz had gone to Munich. That would have made Bayern even stronger. I want an exciting Bundesliga. I'm happy when more clubs – besides us – make life difficult for Bayern, because I believe that benefits the Bundesliga.' As some people may not like Carro for his personality or the way he works, it is refreshing to see someone who is ready and willing to stand up to Bayern and not roll over at the first time of asking, like Dortmund. It can be argued that this type of mentality that Watzke showed in his original comment has been one of the reasons that have held die Schwarzgelben back from winning the Bundesliga in the past 13 years. This is also becoming an increasingly common occurrence in the Bundesliga, as Stuttgart is a prime example, continuing to be firm in their pursuit of the Bundesliga champions' interest in striker Nick Woltemade. GGFN | Jack Meenan
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leverkusen 'proud' as they say farewell to Liverpool signing Wirtz
Germany's Florian Wirtz (L) and France's Manu Kone stand on the pitch after the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Germany and France at Stuttgart Arena. Federico Gambarini/dpa Bayer Leverkusen tried to look on the bright side and remember their achievements together after Florian Wirtz completed his move to Liverpool. The playmaker made his debut for the Germans aged 17 and went on to win a league and cup double with the club in 2024. An initial $134.7 million fee plus add-ons cushioned the blow for Leverkusen as the Germany international chose to test himself with the Premier League champions. Advertisement Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro said in a statement late on Friday: "Florian Wirtz developed from a very promising talent into a world-class player here with us. We are very proud of the path he has taken at Bayer 04. "Now we have to let him go. We will miss Florian but part of him will always be connected to Bayer 04. His sporting ability and his irrepressible commitment are an example and inspiration to us to show our full ambition to establish Bayer 04 at the top of German football and always strive to achieve the maximum success." Sporting director Simon Rolfes said the club had a special relationship with the attacking midfielder. "Florian's departure is associated with lots of emotions for the whole club and also for me personally. He came to us as a 16-year-old and he built up close and warm relations with many people at the club over the years," Rolfes remarked. Advertisement "Through his attitude, his passion and his unconditional desire to win he not only motivated and inspired his team-mates on the pitch but also the staff in the immediate vicinity of the team and throughout the club. Florian never played for himself." Wirtz, who was heavily linked with Bayern Munich before they were apparently priced out, could benefit from Liverpool not having a recognized number 10 while he also has the ability to play on the wings. Bayern observers worried he would get in the way of Jamal Musial if he had moved to the Allianz Arena. Now Liverpool have paid a club record fee for the 22-year-old. Wirtz told Leverkusen's website: "It's not easy to leave after five and a half great years. I've experienced unique things and incredible moments here at Leverkusen. The club always supported me and believed in me including during the difficult time with my injury." Advertisement Wirtz tore a knee ligament in March 2022. Leverkusen face a general rebuild having seen Bayern recapture their Bundesliga title in May. Coach Xabi Alonso has headed to Real Madrid and been replaced by former Manchester United and Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Forbes
20-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Florian Wirtz Joins Liverpool For A Club Record Fee From Leverkusen
Florian Wirtz has signed a contract until 2030 at Liverpool. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via ... More Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images The biggest deal in Bundesliga history is completed. On Friday, Liverpool announced that the club had signed German star Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz has signed a contract until 2030. 'I feel very happy and very proud,' Wirtz said in a Liverpool club statement. 'Finally it's done and I was waiting for a long time – finally it's done and I am really happy. I'm really excited to have a new adventure in front of me. This was also a big point of my thoughts: that I want to have something completely new, to go out of the Bundesliga and to join the Premier League.' It is a record deal for Leverkusen. According to the transfer experts at Transfermarkt , Leverkusen will receive an initial €125 million ($144 million), with a further €15 million ($17.3 million) in very achievable add-ons, plus another possible €10 million ($11.5 million) in more difficult-to-reach add-ons. Where does that deal rank among Premier League players? Wirtz has become the most expensive German player, the most expensive player in Premier League history , and the sixth most expensive player in the history of the game . If all add-ons are met, it could rise to the third most expensive transfer ever. 'We are very proud of the path he has taken at Bayer 04," said Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro in a club statement. "Now we have to let him go. We will miss Florian, but part of him will always be connected to Bayer 04. His sporting ability and his irrepressible commitment are an example and inspiration to us to show our full ambition to establish Bayer 04 at the top of German football and always strive to achieve the maximum success." Florian Wirtz helped guide Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024. (Photo by Stuart ...) Getty Images For Leverkusen, the Wirtz departure marks another moment in what will be a massive rebuild for the club this summer. Leverkusen, after all, not only lost Wirtz but also sold Jérémie Frimpong to Liverpool, as well as losing head coach Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. With that in mind, new head coach Erik ten Hag now faces the tricky task of building a new squad that can chase Rekordmeister Bayern Munich. The fees earned this summer will help. After all, Leverkusen also received €40 million ($46 million) for Frimpong, as well as a significant fee for Alonso. Using that money well is now a task for the director of sport, Simon Rolfes. As for Liverpool, the Reds were able to add one of the most talented players ever produced in German football. Indeed, Wirtz is an impact player who has guided Leverkusen to an undefeated domestic double in 2023/24. At Liverpool, Wirtz now wants to continue to collect titles. 'I would like to win everything every year,' Wirtz said 'First of all, we have to do our work, I have to make my work. In the end, we want to be successful. Last season they won the Premier League, so my goal is for sure to win it again and also to go further in the Champions League. I'm really ambitious.'
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bundesliga club to hold pre-season in Brazil, friendly match planned
Bayer Leverkusen announced on Friday (6) that it will come to Brazil to carry out part of its pre-season in Rio de Janeiro. Champion of the Bundesliga in the 2023/24 season, the club revealed that it plans to play a friendly match during its passage through the country between July 14 and 24. Advertisement The club has not yet pointed out who the match will be against, but said in a statement that it will have a "top-level opponent". Other information such as the location and date of the friendly match have also not been disclosed. During its stay in Rio de Janeiro, Leverkusen will train at Ninho do Urubu, Flamengo's training center, For Flamengo, this visit is a great opportunity to bring together two global brands, rubro-negras, that play modern and engaging football Luiz Eduardo Baptista, president of Flamengo This preparation phase in Brazil will be the highlight of our various initiatives in the Brazilian market, being a unique project in the Bundesliga Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer Leverkusen This will be the first time a Bundesliga team will hold its pre-season in South America. Former Brazilian players who wore the Leverkusen jersey will also participate in activities during the team's passage through Rio de Janeiro. Advertisement Since 1987, more than 20 Brazilians have worn the club's jersey, including Paulo Sérgio, Emerson, Lúcio, Jorginho, Zé Roberto, Wendell, Juan, and Renato Augusto. Currently, full-back Arthur is the only athlete born in Brazil who is part of Leverkusen's squad. Leverkusen will be the second Bundesliga team to pass through Brazil in 2025. In late May, Leipzig came to the country shortly after the end of the season. The delegation passed through the state of São Paulo, where it carried out activities with the press and the local community, in addition to playing a friendly match against Santos. Advertisement The German club took advantage of the structure of Red Bull Bragantino, since the two clubs are managed by the same company. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Arab News
07-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Reports: Bayern agree deal with Leverkusen to take Tah to Club World Cup
MUNICH: Bayern Munich have reportedly agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to take Germany defender Jonathan Tah to the Club World Cup. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Kicker magazine and other media outlets reported Saturday that Bayern, which had announced Tah's signing 'without a transfer fee' on May 29, have agreed to pay Leverkusen up to 4 million euros ($4.6 million) for the player to take a full part in the Club World Cup starting in the United States on June 14. Tah's contract with Leverkusen ran to the end of June, meaning he could only join Bayern on a free transfer from July 1 – unless the clubs came to an agreement beforehand. There was little goodwill between the clubs after Bayern's failed attempt to sign Tah – Leverkusen's captain – last season, when Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro lashed out against Bayern's Max Eberl. Bayern's public pursuit of Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz this season further inflamed tensions between the rival clubs. Any agreement to let Tah join Bayern before his Leverkusen contract ends would suggest pragmatism has won out at Leverkusen. Real Madrid set the precedent by paying a reported fee of up to 10 million euros ($11.4 million) to get England right back Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his Liverpool contract one month before it was due to expire, so he could play at the Club World Cup, rather than waiting to sign him with a transfer fee. Bayern will also need to reach agreement with Hoffenheim if they want to take Tom Bischof to the tournament. Leverkusen face a summer of rebuilding following Xabi Alonso's departure as coach, Tah and wing back Jeremie Frimpong 's departures for Bayern and Liverpool, respectively, and Wirtz's expected transfer to Liverpool. Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka suggested Friday he would be open to a switch amid reported interest from AC Milan, a change from his previous position. Leverkusen hired former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag to replace the Real Madrid-bound Alonso, while they have also signed highly rated teenager Ibrahim Maza from second-division club Hertha Berlin, and 21-year-old defender Tim Oermann from relegated Bochum before promptly loaning him to Austrian champion Sturm Graz. They also loaned promising midfielder Francis Onyeka to Bochum for next season in the second division.
