Andrich Addresses Transfer Rumors and Captaincy at Leverkusen

Robert Andrich has heard the rumours. He just isn’t interested in entertaining them.

Speaking to Kicker.de, the Leverkusen midfielder made it clear that, as long as he feels wanted at the club, a transfer is not on his agenda. The noise around him, he suggested, is just that – noise.

"Of course, I pick up on it through a few channels, but externally it's not just about me being talked about, but also about others," Andrich said. "As long as I don't have the feeling that the club wants to get rid of me - and I don't have that feeling right now - I don't concern myself with a transfer."

It was a firm message from a player who has become one of the dressing room’s reference points during a period of churn on the touchline.

I see myself as number one

Andrich also addressed his leadership role, underlining that he still considers himself captain until told otherwise. The armband, he knows, carries weight in a squad that has lived through a chaotic coaching carousel.

"I see myself as number one as soon as I'm confirmed in that role," he said. "Of course, I'm assuming for now that I'll remain captain. I haven't heard anything else yet. But until nothing is officially communicated, anything can still happen. Eddy [Tapsoba] and I have worn the armband last - it could be decided between us."

That last line matters. It hints at competition, but also at continuity: responsibility shared between established figures rather than imposed from outside.

From turbulence to stability

Andrich’s words land against the backdrop of a wild managerial stretch at Leverkusen following Xabi Alonso’s departure. Erik ten Hag lasted only three matches before being replaced by Kasper Hjulmand, who has already moved on as well. The revolving door in the dugout left a mark.

Now, with Carles Martinez Novell in charge, the mood has shifted. The new coach has not had to say much publicly; the dressing room’s senior voices are doing it for him. Reports from within the Werkself camp point to a far more settled atmosphere than the upheaval of last summer.

Andrich echoed that sense of calm.

"We currently have a very good atmosphere in the team; there's no unrest like there was last summer, when there were so many changes," he explained. "In difficult phases, we need to stick together more in the future – and put ourselves in a position to simply strike back after 15, 20 tough minutes."

That last sentence reads like a blueprint for the season ahead: less drama on the sidelines, more resilience on the pitch, and a captain who, until told otherwise, has no intention of going anywhere.