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.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
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Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
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Rieden reloaded: Just like last year, the Bayer 04 Women’s team are spending their summer training camp in this idyllic corner of Bavaria. From this Sunday, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team will be based in Rieden in the Upper Palatinate for a week.
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Following the summer break, most of the players are back in Leverkusen. While two Bayer 04 first-team players are still in action at the World Cup, the players present officially kicked off the new season with fitness assessments. At the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehabilitation and training centre, Robert Andrich, Edmond Tapsoba and the rest of the squad worked up quite a sweat in the sweltering summer heat. New signings Afonso Moreira and Kennet Eichhorn also successfully completed the day’s sessions alongside their new team-mates.
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The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
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