Nadiem Amiri knows the Rhine from growing up – even if it was 200 kilometres south of Leverkusen: The 1.78 metre right-footer, with Afghani roots, was born in Ludwigshafen am Rhein on 27 October 1996. After playing in youth teams for Ludwigshafen SC, FC Kaiserslautern and SV Waldhof Mannheim, Amiri joined the Hoffenheim U17s in the summer of 2012. In 2014 he was in the Hoffenheim team that won the German U19 Championships and he made his first appearance for the senior squad shortly after that: On 7 February 2015 he made his debut in Germany's top flight under coach Markus Gisdol at the age of 18. And he was an immediate hit. Also in the starting eleven for TSG at the time: Kevin Volland who signed for Bayer 04 a year later.
Thanks to his technique, pace, work rate and commitment, Amiri, who appeared rather shy and reserved off the pitch, shone with the pros making a total of 115 appearances – in the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup and Europa League through to the Champions League. The new Werkself number 11 scored 13 goals and provided 13 assists in total.
Since making his debut for the Germany youth team in November 2013, Amiri has regularly been invited to play for the Germany junior teams. Most recently that was at the U 21 European Championships in Italy and San Marino back in June – and that despite the 22-year-old not only missed the whole first half of last season due to a stress fracture in his left metatarsal but also with the campaign ending early for him due to a torn ligament in his left ankle.
The U 21 European Champion of 2017 did demonstrate his value in this year's competition: Amiri played in all five of Germany's games. The number 18 played a significant part in winning the silver medal with three goals and two assists that impressively repaid the confidence shown in him by coach Stefan Kuntz.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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