Bayer 04 members can look forward to receiving the newly printed Werkself yearbook in the next few days as the first and exclusive recipients. For the 2021/22 season, this publication again provides an all-round view of the Black and Reds: The magazine contains presentations of the Bayer 04 teams plus comprehensive statistics and a detailed interview with the new Werkself head coach Gerardo Seoane.
At bayer04.de you can also browse through all previous Werkself Magazines from the first edition from the 2015/16 season.
The world of football is mourning the loss of the one-time world class striker Gerd Müller. The Nordlingen-born player scored 523 goals in a 580 games for Bayern Munich between 1964 and 1979 and he also scored 68 goals in 62 games for Germany. 'Der Bomber' passed away on Sunday at the age of 75.
Rudi Völler paid Müller his respects like many other greats of football. The Bayer 04 sporting managing director said: "Gerd Müller was one of the greatest goalscorers of all time, not just in Germany but worldwide. Of course, he was a role model for me as a striker. It's a sad day for football, Gerd's achievements will never be forgotten."
Two Werkself players with strong memories and steady hands: During the training camp in Salzburger Land, Julian Baumgartlinger and Lukas Hradecky played a game of Jenga. While the stalwarts skilfully manoeuvred the pieces out of the tower, they also indulged in a humorous round of ‘I'll pack my bag.’ What the pair came up with besides a wetsuit, Kevin Volland and a kaleidoscope of other mad things can be seen on the club's Bayer 04 YouTube channel. HERE is the video.
Under the motto 'Help after the flood: The football benefit match', numerous former players came together for a benefit event at the Mosel Stadium in Trier a few days ago. That included former Leverkusen players Jens Nowotny, Philipp Wollscheid, Lukas Sinkiewicz and Thomas Zdebel. Including a group donation from the DFB Egidius Braun and Sepp Herberger foundations, €750,000 had been raised shortly after the game for the victims of the flood disaster in Rhineland Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia.
A trio from the Black and Red club history celebrated their birthdays on Monday: Wilhelm 'Willi' Gierlich (1955-57 at Bayer 04) was 89 years old, Horst Knauf (1978-83) is 61. The third is Klaus Meul who played for the Werkself in the 1979 Bundesliga promotion team. The defender was 64 years old today. Bayer 04 wish all three: Many happy returns.
The fourth showdown in the VBL Club Championship 2025/26 starts for the Leverkusen eSports team today, Thursday 22 January (live on the B04eSports Twitch channel and on the Bayer 04 app from 19:00 CET). In the online preliminary round, the Black and Reds will once again compete with six previously drawn opponents for a place in the Top 16 and the associated entry into the offline knockout round in Berlin on 2 February at the fourth showdown. The lowdown on our next three opponents in the online preliminary round.
Show more
The fourth European away trip of the season in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 takes the Werkself to the Greek capital. Head coach Kasper Hjulmand's team are away to Greek double winners Olympiacos on matchday seven in the UCL league phase. The match at the Karaiskakis Stadium is on Tuesday, 20 January (kick-off: 21:00 CET). We'll be taking you on a trip to Athens and reporting on the Werkself close-up...
Show more
A great honour for Bayer 04 Women's German international: as part of the 2025 Sports Awards, Carlotta Wamser entered her name into the City of Leverkusen's Golden Book. On Tuesday, she looked back on a special year in a talk in the Morsbroich Castle hall of mirrors.
Show more
It was a disappointing night in Athens: The Werkself lost 2-0 away to Olympiacos on Matchday 7 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. In a match that was intense and fiery from the outset, the high-pressing home side made the better start and took the lead through Costinha on two minutes. Although the Werkself had a number of chances to equalise, the clinical Greek side increased the lead to 2-0 shortly before half-time (45+1’). In the second half, Leverkusen once again gave their all and showed total commitment but, despite their best efforts, the Black and Reds were unable to break down the Olympiacos defence on the night.
Show more
