It is 18 months ago since the last football coverage on RTL involving the Black and Reds (3-1 win at Rangers in March 2020). The Werkself were back on free to air TV for the game against Celtic – and that is again brought top viewing figures. The second half of #CELB04 was watched by more than 3 million viewers that represents a market share of 14.9%.
In the relevant target group (14 to 49 years of age) it was the top figure; no other broadcaster had more viewers after 20.15 CEST than RTL with #CELB04. Bayer 04 earned a convincing 4-0 win at Celtic Park, with goals from Piero Hincapie, Florian Wirtz, Lucas Alario and Amine Adli.
From the Europa League to the Bundesliga: The team under head coach Gerardo Seoane is back in action on Sunday night, 3 October (kick-off: 19.30 CEST) away to Armenia Bielefeld. One special difference will be apparent in the kit worn by the visitors from Leverkusen: Jonathan Tah and Co. will play in the black and red striped home shirt but with white shorts instead of the usual black ones. Now all the club colours are brought together…
Frank Kramer, coach of the team in sixteenth place in the league, challenged his players ahead of the clash with the second-place Leverkusen team: "We have to really work them over, we have to really get on their nerves." The 49-year-old can again bank on new signing Alessandro Schöpf after his recovery from a cold. In contrast, there are question marks over Jacob Laursen and Andres Andrade.
The Arminia head coach spoke ahead of the game about the Werkself youngster Florian Wirtz: “We Germans can be happy to have such a talent. But now our job is to make sure he doesn't show it on Sunday," said Kramer who is still without a win in the Bundesliga this season. The team of his opposite number Gerardo Seoane have "enormous quality in attack as you could see again in the game against Celtic."
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.
Show more
Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
Show more
Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
Show more
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
Show more
