
In conversation with host Cedric Pick, the currently in-demand specialist for internal medicine talked about the latest developments with the coronavirus pandemic, the latest political decisions at state level plus his wide range of duties at the Werkself. The 57-year-old medic also provided insights into the club’s hygiene protocol, the different testing procedures as well as the handling and chain of action with positive test results as was the case recently with Werkself defender Edmond Tapsoba after his return from international duty.
The Leverkusen-born doctor, who, in addition to his role at Bayer 04, is the director of a group practice in Leverkusen-Quettingen, outs himself in the entertaining dialogue as a longstanding Bayer 04 fan, a supporter of the Werkself from the stands long before he became the club doctor. In his very first season of his employment at the club, which ‘Kalla’ describes as a coincidence, he was able to follow the historic 2002 season first hand with the three runners-up finishes – so defining and indescribable as many short-notice and short overseas trips involved with transfers.
In the entertaining discussion, Karl-Heinrich Dittmar talks about his values, his multifaceted workload, lack of time and his pride in the club’s training and rehab centre the Werkstatt. The father of four not only revealed a great sense of humour but also loads of empathy.
In addition to the opening jingle, the Werks11 podcast also includes other items (including ‘My top 04’, ‘Either...or...’). Other guests speaking are his former boss Reiner Calmund plus former Bayer 04 keeper René Adler who surprise Karl-Heinrich Dittmar with a question.
Moreover: From now, the Werks11 podcast will be available every two weeks. The next episode will be available on Tuesday 15 December.
Just subscribe to the Werks11 podcast to make sure you don’t miss any of the episodes – at Soundcloud, iTunes or Spotify.

A group of about 50 members of the Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo visited Leverkusen over the past few days, accompanied by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sergio and Luiz Felipe (managing director of academy in São Paulo) for a week full of football, encounters and very special insights. In addition to the Bundesliga away game in Elversberg and the home game against Union Berlin, the visit also featured a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy in Leverkusen and a tour of the Bayer AG facilities. The guests also gained special insights into the club and the world of Bayer 04.
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The men's clothing retailer LERROS will remain the official fashion and premium partner of Bayer 04 for the current season. As in the past, LERROS will provide the club's men's team, coaching staff and management with high-quality clothing for international trips.
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“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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Bayer 04 produced a dominant and impressive 4-0 win over Union Berlin as they picked up three points in their first home game of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Exequiel Fernández opened the scoring after only 41 seconds, with Facundo Medina doubling the lead before the half-hour mark. Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza continued the procession in the second period, in which Moussa Diaby came on for his first Leverkusen appearance for over three years.
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