From a Simple Letter to Football Glory: Bayer Leverkusen Changes German Football History!

Some things take a long time to reach their destination, and this isn't about packages—those arrive quickly with today’s shipping methods. Instead, think about the magic of intent, telepathy, and the relentless desire to win, to plan something meticulously, and see it through to the highest levels of achievement with patience and careful planning.

You know how the Germans are!

Here’s something you probably didn’t know: the history of Bayer Leverkusen started on November 27, 1903, when Wilhelm Hauschild and 170 of his colleagues wrote a letter to their employer, Friedrich Bayer, asking for support to establish a sports club. To their delight, the pharmaceutical company, founded in 1863, agreed to back the initiative, and on July 1, 1904, Turn- und Spielverein Bayer 04 Leverkusen was officially formed as a company team.

From Football to Boxing and Gymnastics

As the company grew, more divisions within the sports club began to emerge, including handball, boxing, and gymnastics teams. Eventually, this led to a split within the club. On June 8, 1928, the footballers formed their own separate association, Sportvereinigung Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Struggles in Lower Leagues

During the 1930s, SV Bayer 04 Leverkusen played in the third and fourth divisions. In 1936, they were promoted to the second division and, for the first time, sported the “Bayer” logo, which is still visible on their kits today.

From 1968 to 1979, the team wandered through various leagues without major success. It wasn’t until the 1979-1980 season that the club secured a place in the Bundesliga, where they would remain for an extended period.

The "Barbie" Club of Germany?

Leverkusen fans are a unique bunch. The club projects a family-friendly image, though some of its supporters were among the first in Germany to identify as Ultras. Despite its financial stability and strong squad, traditional club fans sometimes criticize Bayer Leverkusen, calling it a “plastic club” without real traditions or a dedicated fan base.

A Romanian King of “The Aspirins”

Here’s a little-known fact: a Romanian player became a big star at Bayer Leverkusen. Ionuț Lupescu played for the team between 1995 and 1999, during which he delivered solid performances, particularly in the 1996-1997 season when Leverkusen reached the Europa League final but lost to Inter Milan. Lupescu made a total of 184 appearances, even serving as captain at times.

Betting on Stars, But Not Always Winning

Just like you might place bets with your friends on Champions League matches, Bayer Leverkusen once banked on star power. Players like Michael Ballack, Bernd Schuster, Dimitar Berbatov, and Ulf Kirsten brought fame to the club. The legendary Rudi Völler also played a significant role in the team's history.

The Xabi Alonso Era Begins

In October 2022, as Bayer Leverkusen was heading towards relegation, Simon Rolfes and Fernando Carro made a bold move, hiring Xabi Alonso as head coach. Alonso, a former player with experience in Spain, England, and Germany, took charge when the team was second to last in the Bundesliga, marking their worst start since 1979. In his debut, Leverkusen defeated Schalke 04, 4-0.

Alonso led the team to the Europa League semifinals and finished 6th in the league, securing another Europa League qualification. Ignoring offers from Tottenham, Alonso extended his contract for a second season.

With smart transfers, including Granit Xhaka, Grimaldo, and the talented Victor Boniface, as well as Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen achieved the ultimate dream of the workers who sent that letter 120 years ago: they became Bundesliga champions! To top it off, they set a new record for undefeated matches, extending it to 43 games, breaking the previous record held by Juventus (2011-2012 season).