…the first full training session after the two-week 'summer break': The numbers at training were not that big as, in addition to Kai Havertz, Kevin Volland and Leon Bailey (in quarantine in Jamaica, ed.), the international players were also missing.
…the considerably shortened build-up to the first competitive match in the DFB Cup against Eintracht Norderstedt on 13 September: It's the fourth or fifth build-up in 2020– and that feels strange. You normally have six weeks to prepare for a new season. Now there's another very short build-up but we've already got experienced of that. The advantage is that I'm not a new coach. I've been working here for one and a half years and I know most of the players. I know what I can expect of my team. They haven't lost everything in the two-week break. The basic fitness is there.
…the current position with the squad: Our squad isn't complete yet. For example, I'm not expecting Kevin Volland or Kai Havertz to train with us again. However, it's normal that there are changes during a transfer window. We coaches can deal with that. I've expressed my wishes to the management. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
…the challenge of this year's build-up: It's always great for coaches if the squad is complete at the start of training. But that's almost never the case these days. A lot has been put back due to coronavirus. That makes things complicated. My responsibility as a coach is to deal with it.
…the recent vacancy as the Dutch coach: It's an honour for every Dutchman to be the national coach of his home country. That's the biggest achievement for a coach. But momentum also counts in football. And you aren’t always in control of that. It only makes sense to think about it if you're asked. And that hasn't happened up to now. Also we've only got two weeks before the start of the Bundesliga. I need all my time here for Bayer 04.
Bosnia U19 international Kerim Alajbegovic is moving from Bayer 04 Leverkusen's youth set-up to Red Bull Salzburg. The talented attacking midfielder has signed a long-term contract with the Austrian club. At the same time, the works club secured a buy-back option for the 17-year-old, who was one of the mainstays of the Leverkusen U19s.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.
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