In 2009, Munich had to sell both Lars and Sven Bender, due to club's financial problem.

His biggest rival for the spot in the defensive midfield suffered several injuries and Bender established himself in the starting eleven very quickly.

[10] In February 2014, he suffered injury after a loss against Hamburger SV,[11] which eventually ruled him out for the rest season.

[12] On 13 July 2017, Bender ended his eight-year tenure at Borussia Dortmund with 158 Bundesliga matches,[13] signing a four-year contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2021 and reuniting with his brother Lars.

In February 2014, Bender suffered an Osteitis pubis injury that ruled him out for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

[20] In June 2022, the German Football Association appointed him as the new assistant coach of the Germany U-16 national team.

[22] On 29 December 2023 left his job at the German Football Association[23] and, along with his past teammate Nuri Şahin, was appointed as assistant manager to Edin Terzić at their former club Borussia Dortmund, signing a contract from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2025.