
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.

This fan meeting got off to a rather unexpected start. On Sunday afternoon, the Bayer 04 managing directors had just welcomed the fans present at the team hotel for the traditional get-together at the training camp when Fernando Carro’s phone rang. The CEO, glancing towards managing director sport Simon Rolfes with a smile, said: “We’ll just have to answer that quickly.” When asked by the fans what the call was actually about, the pair left it open with a wink. Instead, Carro and Rolfes then spent over an hour happily answering the fans’ many other questions.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of the 3-0 victory in the friendly match against Rot-Weiss Essen...
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