
It was a day full of emotion: At the final home game of the season against SC Freiburg it was time to say farewell to Rudi Völler after 28 years at Leverkusen. We documented his last official duties as sporting managing director using numerous photographs. There was one message at all times: Thank you, Rudi.
The face of Bayer 04 takes a step back as a member of the shareholders committee and as a club ambassador but his statements will continue to carry weight in the future. For example, he writes to the Black and Red family in the current edition of the Werkself Magazine: "You will all make a contribution to everything carrying on wonderfully at Bayer 04."
He probably also included Lukas Hradecky. Our captain talks in a big interview about his passion for small talk, the value of authenticity and the hope of silverware.
"Racing through Europe," is the title of the profile of our new signing Sardar Azmoun. Reading the Werkself Magazine is recommended for anybody who might want to know why our number nine did not become a volleyball player, where his passion for horses comes from and how he got to Leverkusen from Iran via Russia.
Further highlights in the final edition of 2021/22: Looking back at the Champions League final of 2002 with Werner Wenning and Dimitar Berbatov; assistant coach Alberto Encinas introduces his "04 best" on the touchline; we look back at the #Bayer04MexicoTour and review special moments in the season for the Bundesliga Women's team, the U19 and U17 sides plus the Veterans team.
On the bottom line is the production again of 104 informative and entertaining pages in partnership with the agency Derichs & Graalmann,which are designed to shorten the wait for the new season for the Bayer 04 family.
You can look these up and many other interesting insights into the world of the Werkself now in Werkself Magazine number 36. If you would like to receive the print edition then you can become a member. Click here for membership.
You can also look through all previous Werkself Magazines since the first edition in 2015/16 at bayer04.de.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned U19 midfielder Jeremiah Mensah to Dutch second-tier side Roda JC Kerkrade for one year. The 18-year-old Germany youth international has a long-term contract at the club to 2031.
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Shortly after signing his contract with Bayer 04, new signing Facundo Medina spoke to Werkself.tv about his first impressions of the club, his expectations and his conversations with his Argentine compatriot Exequiel Palacios. The defender also reveals what the fans can look forward to. Welcome to Leverkusen, Facu!
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Bayer 04 have unveiled the new third kit for the 2026/27 season. The design, developed by kit supplier New Balance, combines the city’s colours with symbols that have defined Leverkusen and Bayer 04 for generations.
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Tickets for the first two Bayer 04 women’s team home games are now on general sale. A week after their league opener away at RB Leipzig, Roberto Pätzold’s side will face last season’s runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, in the first home fixture on Sunday 30 August (kick-off: 16:00 CEST). Fifteen days later, on Monday night, 14 September (kick-off: 18:00 CEST), the Leverkusen Women host German champions Bayern Munich at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium for a top-of-the-table league clash. You can now also select specific seats via the online shop. The latest information on match ticket sales.
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