It was welcome back to #InternationalWerkself in Leverkusen as nine Bayer 04 first-team players returned to action in the morning after yesterday’s performance diagnostics and numerous medical checks. Seoane mostly had his team playing in various types of matches, although Robert Andrich & Co. also showed their ability in a heading course and some football tennis. Once the sporting side of things was done, the several fans who’d made the trip got the chance for autographs and photos from new signing Hlozek.
Goalkeeper Hradecky was out on the pitch the longest. The Werkself No.1 followed the team session with an individual programme together with goalkeeping coach David Thiel. There was then a second strength session inside the BayArena in the afternoon.
Friday’s session is again open for fans and starts at 10:30 CEST on the pitches at the BayArena. Seoane’s side then face their first friendly of pre-season on Saturday, 9 July when they take on third-division side Duisburg in Velbert at 15:30. Tickets are still available on the day at the ground from two hours before kick-off.
Joyeux anniversaire, Moussa Diaby! The Werkself forward turned 23 today. The France international has been at Leverkusen since 2019/20. Last season he made 42 appearances across all competitions, netting an impressive 17 goals and providing an excellent 14 assists.
Werkself Women’s goalkeeper Friederike Repohl was also celebrating today as she turned 28. The No.27 joined from Wolfsburg in 2021. Happy birthday and all the best for the coming season!
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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