As in yesterday's morning session, coach Heiko Herrlich again had 18 outfield players at his disposal on the training ground. After missing the start of the week, Lars Bender, Kevin Volland, Wendell and Kai Havertz were back in full training. Havertz today received the call up from national coach Joachim Löw to the senior Germany squad that made him the focus of attention from the fans watching the session.
"Being called up is a dream come true for me. Of course, I'm really looking forward to being with the national team. However, there's the game against Wolfsburg on Saturday first. I'm fully focused on that at the moment," said the youngster after the training session. Sven Bender again completed an individual workout with the ball on the pitch away from the rest of the squad.
Herrlich has a total of two sessions left tomorrow and Friday for final preparations ahead of Saturday's opening home fixture at the BayArena. Both training sessions with be held behind closed doors.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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