Bode played his first football with home club VfR Osterode, before moving to the amateur team of Werder Bremen in 1988.

Despite some offers by major European clubs such as Bayern Munich, he remained loyal to Werder Bremen, retiring somewhat early after the 2002 World Cup.

Bode also won renown because he was a particularly fair and decent player who only was booked ten times in his entire Bundesliga career and never got sent off.

[4] Normally a forward, Bode was selected by Völler as an attacking left wing-back in his favoured 3-5-2 formation.

Being close to retirement, the German fans felt Bode's selection was dubious, however he silenced the doubters by scoring the opening goal of an eventual 2–0 win for Germany propelling them into the knockout stages as group winners.