Transfer insider reveals: Leverkusen boss was about to move to FC Bayern | OneFootball

FC Bayern Munich have had numerous players on their wish list in the past who never ended up moving to Säbener Strasse. It has now been revealed that Bayer Leverkusen boss Simon Rolfes was also once on the verge of a move to the record champions

BILD head of soccer Christian Falk spoke to former player consultant Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten about the surprisingly advanced talks between FC Bayern and Rolfes at the time

Falk asked whether the deal ultimately fell through due to the lack of an exit clause, but Baumgarten denied this and at the same time made it clear how concrete the negotiations were at the time

Heynckes wanted to bring Rolfes to Munich

According to Baumgarten, Simon Rolfes was „well on his way“ to FC Bayern and Jupp Heynckes, who was the Munich coach at the time, is said to have been particularly interested in signing the former international

The experienced midfielder would have been an important part of the Bayern squad, and Heynckes is said to have promised Rolfes a significant role in Munich

In the end, however, the then Leverkusen captain decided against the move

Rolfes remained loyal to Bayer

photo: IMAGO

According to Baumgarten, emotional and sporting reasons were the main deciding factors. Rolfes felt closely connected to Bayer Leverkusen and had an ideal environment there

His role as captain apparently played a particularly important role in this, and the current Managing Director Sport of the Werkself did not want to give up this position at the time – even though FC Bayern had made an attractive offer

In retrospect, a move to Munich would have been an exciting chapter in the career of the former midfield strategist. Instead, Rolfes remained loyal to Bayer Leverkusen – first as a player and later as an official.