Xabi Alonso (master coach of Bayer Leverkusen, at DAZN): “It’s a special day for everyone. We rewarded so many people today. We have to enjoy the first championship and are happy for everyone. Maybe it’s also good for the Bundesliga that another team wins. Now it’s time Time to celebrate. We have to enjoy today and celebrate with families, friends and fans. Next week is a different date.”
Jonas Hofmann (midfielder from Bayer 04 Leverkusen, at DAZN): “Pure emotions. Everything flows through your body. If you’re supposed to laugh, you’re supposed to cry. I wouldn’t have dreamed of that. No matter who played: We were always there. It’s just awesome. Everyone is extremely involved. The coach is alive That’s what distinguishes us from being very self-critical. The win against Bayern gave us a boost. In the weeks that followed, the gap grew from week to week But we always focused on the games and said: We won’t celebrate until the time comes.”
Florian Wirtz (midfielder from Bayer 04 Leverkusen, at DAZN): “It’s indescribable. Personally, I can’t actually realize it yet. I need a little more time in the dressing room to really get my head around what we’ve achieved.”
… on the question, when he realized that this year was special: “Of course not right at the beginning of the season, because you can’t actually imagine something like that when you see what happened in the Bundesliga in the previous years. That’s why it came at some point when we won a lot of games and developed a dominant game At some point it came to mind that there could be more than just playing a good season and qualifying for the Champions League.”
… when asked who from the team would lead the celebrations: “We don’t have such party animals, but I would say Germans like Jonas Hofmann and Robert Andrich.”
Reiner Calmund (former manager and managing director of Bayer 04, at DAZN): “I’ve been nervous all week. We’ve experienced everything. Up until lunchtime today I said: I’m not talking about it. That you (the media, editor) Talk about it with the projection, it’s clear. But I’ve been through so much shit.”
… when asked what makes this Bayer team special: “I’ll explain it to you. It’s simple: Alonso was the linchpin in the central midfield in Spain. They became European champions twice, of course through other players, but he led the game. They then also became world champions. Play a role like that : He transferred that to the team – then he had Xhaka as his translator in the game. Then of course you have an exceptional boy like Florian Wirtz. Florian is a golden boy not five of them in the world.”
Herbert Hainer (President of FC Bayern): “Congratulations to Bayer Leverkusen on the historic first German championship in the club’s history. The title absolutely deserves to go to Leverkusen: it is the reward for an outstanding season and great football. FC Bayern’s goal is now: the trophy has to go back to Munich! See you in the new season.”
Jan Christian Dreesen (CEO of FC Bayern): “You can only congratulate the entire Bayer Leverkusen club. They have played a flawless season so far, the team has shown courage, class and, above all, consistency and has therefore deservedly become German champions in 2024. But one thing is also certain: we take this as a direct result incentive, we will work even harder and will not rest until the bowl comes back to Munich on Säbener Straße.”
Max Eberl (FC Bayern sports director): “Congratulations in particular to Xabi Alonso, his coaching team and the entire team. Your football has thrilled the Bundesliga. FC Bayern’s streak has broken, but we will now do everything we can to attack again.”
Julian Nagelsmann (national coach): “Bayer 04 Leverkusen is the best German team this season and the title is absolutely deserved. The signature of coach The team’s performances are proof of how important the right mix of quality and mentality is. I’m particularly pleased that our national players have played a large part in this success, which will certainly inspire them at the Euros in the summer Only good for us as a team.”
Rudi Völler (DFB sports director and former sports director of Bayer 04): “I know how much this first German championship title in the club’s history means to the entire club. It is the result of far-sighted, intelligent and passionate work. Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes have put together an excellent squad and brought in an outstanding coach in Xabi Alonso. The dominance and the naturalness with which Bayer 04 Leverkusen plays the games under his leadership are impressive. The consistency of the performances and results is unbelievable. I have never been able to stand the term ‘Vizekusen’ – now it is history and rightly so.”
Bernd Neuendorf (DFB President): “The club had narrowly missed out on the title a few times in the past, but the joy is certainly even greater now. The team is playing exciting, masterful football under their coach Xabi Alonso, has never lost a game and has never left any doubt as to who will win Bayer 04 Leverkusen never made things exciting at the end of this Bundesliga season – there couldn’t be a greater compliment.”
Ilkay Gündogan (captain of the German national soccer team, at X): “Congratulations to Bayer Leverkusen on the championship. There can be no two opinions about whether it is deserved. What a performance – wow! If the team stays together like this, then we can go far in the UCL too. I’m excited!”
Bastian Schweinsteiger (2014 World Champion): “The Werkself have developed brilliantly under Xabi Alonso and dominated the Bundesliga this season. An impressive achievement.”
Karl Lauterbach (Federal Health Minister of the SPD, with the Leverkusen constituency, at X): “Congratulations on the German championship! Such a winning streak, such great attacking football, so much joy in the game: That counts for more than five championships for Bayern Munich. A new era of more exciting championships begins here. I’m happy for my constituency.”
Uwe Richrath (SPD mayor of Leverkusen): “A dream has come true. I am so proud and it touches me very much that our city, my hometown, can experience and celebrate this moment. Today, this is above all a gift to the fans. To those who have been there for decades cheer on their team in good times and in bad times, who are always there and remain loyal to their club, who stand by with a helping hand when points and victories are played in the stadium. Many fans and the city have been waiting for more than 30 years “This moment. They hardly dared to believe that the championship trophy would ever come to Leverkusen. Now it has happened and the dam has broken.”
Heike Ullrich (DFB General Secretary): “Since the inaugural season of the Bundesliga in 1963/1964, there have been twelve different German champions, Bayer Leverkusen is now the 13th, and on behalf of the German Football Association, congratulations! It is an outstanding success that deserves the highest recognition. With their style Leverkusen have thrilled their fans and certainly gained new ones. If a team wins the title five match days before the end of the season, they have done a lot right.”