"We are happy to go into the new season with these two top people," said Simon Rolfes, currently sporting director and from 1 July sporting managing director at Bayer 04. "We want to keep on improving in all areas and work at the highest level. That also obviously includes the area of fitness, which is of crucial importance in professional football."
Ismael Camenforte Lopez joined Leverkusen in the summer of 2021. After studying at the University of Barcelona the 38-year-old Spaniard worked as fitness coach at FC Barcelona for seven years plus 18 months at the MLS club New York City FC. The Catalan returned to Europe from the USA in August 2020 to work as a fitness coach with Denmark.
Markus Müller has joined Leverkusen from Borussia Mönchengladbach. The 36-year-old worked as a fitness coach with the Foals for six years. Müller, who completed his bachelor degree at the German Sports University in Cologne, previously worked in a similar position at the Borussia Dortmund academy for two years.
In glorious sunshine and temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius, the Bayer 04 Women have begun their preparations for the new season. With a relaxed first session at the Kurtekotten training centre, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team became the first Bundesliga side to resume training after a 37-day break.
Show more
Black and Red stand out. Under the slogan ‘Diversity under the Cross’, Bayer 04 took part in Pride on the Rhine at the weekend alongside the queer fan club “Bayer 04 Junxx”. The club mascot, Brian the Lion, and several members of staff were also in attendance, championing diversity and solidarity.
Show more
Centre-back Melissa Friedrich is set to remain at Bayer 04 for another year. The longest-serving player in the squad, who joined the club in 2016, has extended her contract to 2027.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Portugal U21 international Afonso Moreira. The 21-year-old winger joins the club from French top-flight side Olympique Lyon on a contract to 30 June 2031. In France last year, the left-winger made 37 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa League, scoring a total of eight goals and providing eleven assists.
Show more
