Latest news with #KölnerStadtAnzeiger
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Leverkusen to develop a new winning team, Rolfes says
Bayer sporting director Simon Rolfes talks to the media during the team's final training session, ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match against Bayern Munich. Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa Bayer Leverkusen still see themselves as a top-four contender in Germany but need some rebuilding after the departure of Florian Wirtz, Jonnathan Tah and coach Xabi Alono, managing director for sport Simon Rolfes has said. Rolfes told Tuesday's Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger paper it was impossible to simply buy the same quality again because it would require three times their budget. Advertisement Rolfes spoke of a transition period after Leverkusen had famously won the Bundesliga unbeaten in 2024 and the German Cup the same year under Alonso, and came second in the league last term. "The (new) coach (Erik ten Hag) will have a high level squad but we are also buiding a squad that has room for improvement. It is a departure towards something new," Rolfes said. He still named top-four status their ambition because "you are able to win titles if you are a top-four team. The German Cup is part of that." "We must develop a winning team," he said, referring to the rise of Wirtz after the sale of Kai Havertz to Chelsea in 2020. Advertisement "We didn't replace Kai Havertz with a complete player. We could replace Kai with the young Wirtz, the 16-year-old Florian via a years-long development," he said. Wirtz and full back Jeremie Frimpong have now left for Liverpool, Tah is at Bayern Munich, and Alonso new Real Madrid helmsman. Leverkusen are said to receive around €140 million ($164 million) for Wirtz, and Rolfes said: "In the end we are all happy with the transfer. Florian with his decision, we with the whole package. "It is definitely a very, very good step for Florian. It is the right thing to go abroad," he said.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Southampton weigh €5m purchase of Köln striker Damion Downs
Florian Plettenberg reports that relegated Premier League club Southampton FC are interested in acquiring FC Köln striker Damion Downs. The newly-capped USMNT national netted 10 goals and contributed five assists for his promoted 2. Bundesliga outfit last season. His current estimated market value stands at a career high €5m. This, per Plettenberg, is the price the Saints are willing to pay. Advertisement Downs carries some Bundesliga experience as well. The now 20-year-old made ten relief appearances for Köln in the top flight during the 2023/24 campaign. The German American twice scored crucial goals off the bench. A dramatic late equalizer against Borussia Mönchengladbach on matchday 25 helped die Geißböcke snatch a 3-3 draw off their fierce Rhein rivals. Downs also helped die Effzeh complete a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over relegation rivals Union Berlin with a late winner on matchday 33. The points Downs directly helped his team gain ultimately couldn't help Köln avoid relegation, but the youngster quickly became a popular figure among both cathedral city side supporters and the German footballing public in general. Köln will obviously not be extra keen to allow their leading goal-scorer from last season depart, even if they have secured some attacking additions ahead of the coming Bundesliga season. Advertisement The local Kölner Stadt Anzeiger recently reported that Köln tendered Downs a generous four-year contract-extension replete with a hefty pay raise. Köln have made renewing with both Downs and midfielder Eric Martel a top priority. Downs – one of countless German footballers of partial U.S. military heritage – has his own tendencies. In the case of this particular footballer, a large portion of his childhood spent in the States led him to adopt English as his first language. GGFN | Peter Weis
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florian Wirtz's future at Bayer Leverkusen still completely open
Kölner Stadt Anzeiger reports that the future of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz at the club is still completely open despite reports of progress with Bayern Munich. Bild, Sky Germany and Abendzeitung have reported that either Wirtz has already reached an agreement with Bayern over a transfer in the summer or that Bayern are already negotiating with Leverkusen over a transfer. Advertisement This is said not to be the case. In fact, both Leverkusen and Wirtz's party are said to be irritated by these reports and the media offensive about the 22-year-old's supposed impending move to Munich. On top of this, Wirtz's representatives (his dad) have not indicated that there will be a departure in the summer, as they have a good relationship with Simon Rolfes and the Leverkusen hierarchy and are in regular contact. Due to this, it is ruled out that Wrtz's party has fooled the club and gone behind their backs, while also trying to exert pressure on Leverkusen in the event of a departure. It is said that the Wirtzs do not want to leave a path of destruction if the 22-year-old were to leave. Wirtz has also stayed quiet about the whole matter, even hinting at his point of view in a recent Sports Illustrated interview. Of course, Wirtz can still leave for Bayern this summer, but Leverkusen still hope to extend his contract with the previous contract offer of a release clause of €125m next summer and an extension until 2028 still on the table. Advertisement When it comes to Wirtz's future, his representatives are said to have spoken to four European clubs about a potential move in the summer. The 22-year-old's preference is to move abroad, and they have spoken to both Liverpool and Manchester City about a move, with the Premier League clubs more likely to be able to fund the €150m price tag compared to Bayern. It is unlikely that Wirtz will follow departing head coach Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. It is possible that a final decision is a long way off with the 22-year-old playing for Germany at the Nations League in June, playing a part in Leverkusen's pre-season training in the summer, and even being the next Bundesliga season before a potential move. GGFN | Jack Meenan
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kovar's Leverkusen future uncertain as replacements are lined up
Bayer Leverkusen's second-choice goalkeeper Matej Kovar can leave the club in summer, Kölner Stadt Anzeiger reports. Since his arrival from Manchester United in 2023, Kovar has failed to oust first-choice Lukas Hradecky from the goal. The Czechia international did enjoy spells between the sticks in last year's Europa League run and this season's Champions League campaign. However, the 24-year-old does not seem to be part of Leverkusen's long-term plans. A host of potential replacements have been listed including Man City's backup Stefan Ortega, SC Freiburg's Noah Atubolu and Alex Meret of Napoli. Several rumours have also linked Die Werkself to promising Spanish shot-stopper Joan Garcia who is currently at RCD Espanyol.
