Sensational revelation: Leverkusen star was on the verge of joining Bayern
According to former agent Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten, current Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes was very close to signing for FC Bayern Munich.
Current Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes was once on the verge of a move to FC Bayern Munich. This claim was made by former player agent Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten in an interview with Bild editor Christian Falk.
Baumgarten stated that talks were at an advanced stage. The then-head coach Jupp Heynckes was reportedly a major advocate for the transfer, having earmarked the central midfielder for a key role within the Bayern squad.
Ultimately, the move fell through due to the player's personal decision. Rolfes prioritized his role at Leverkusen, where he felt perfectly at home, and did not want to relinquish his captaincy. He remained loyal to the club until he retired as a player in 2015.
Rolfes later transitioned into management, becoming sporting director in 2022. His deep ties to Leverkusen are well-known, and he has maintained a fierce stance for his club, notably clashing with Bayern backup goalkeeper Sven Ulreich during a match at the Allianz Arena in September.