Jonathan Tah and Co. split up into groups of three for the day working in the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehab and training centre at the BayArena, on a range of tests and checks. That included taking blood and measuring body fat as well hip strength measurements plus different diagnostic procedures to test coordination, mobility and stability.
Before clocking off, the Werkself players underwent spiroergometry to finish off. Wearing respirator masks, the players were put through their paces as they clocked up as many miles as possible on the treadmill to test their stamina levels.
The squad led by head coach Xabi Alonso return to the training ground for the first time on Friday 2 December. The first session with the ball starts at 10.30 CET on training pitches 1 and 2. The Alonso team have a second training session in the afternoon at 14.30 CET.
Both sessions are open to Black and Red fans but last-minute changes are possible.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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