
Coach Heiko Herrlich was able to welcome back Wendell. The 24-year-old full-back, who has worked on his comeback in individual training over recent days following the ligament injury suffered away to RB Leipzig, took part in full training for the first time – at least for the first part. "We are increasing the workload day by day but the Bremen game is probably too soon for him," said Herrlich who hopes Wendell will be an option for the final game of the season at home to Hannover 96 (12 May). Karim Bellarabi joined the session later after working on his own in the Werkstatt. According to Herrlich, it was purely a precautionary measure.
Jonathan Tah (hip), Joel Pohjanpalo (rehab training after an ankle injury) and Sven Bender (muscular problem) worked in the facilities at the BayArena rather than on the training ground. "With Sven, we'll have to see how his muscle reacts and whether he may be an option for Saturday," explained the 46-year-old after the training session.
Heiko Herrlich will lead training sessions on Thursday (15.30 CET) and Friday (12.00 CET) before the Werkself head off for Bremen. The two sessions will be closed to the public.


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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