“We’re very happy that we’ve been able to attract the BERGISCHE health insurer, a well-established company with a long tradition from the region and thereby from the immediate vicinity of the club,” said Fernando Carro as chairman of the board in welcoming the close relationship with the new partner in the Leverkusen Sponsors’ Club. “This partnership has a regional character that involves great emotion. It is based on a high degree of identification between the two partners,” added Carro.
Sabine Stamm, director of the BERGISCHE health insurer, declares: “We are very proud to have entered into a health partnership with the established club Bayer 04 Leverkusen because we share a lot of areas in a common sphere of activity, that is the Bergisches Land. The BERGISCHE health insurer stand for quality with a home advantage,” said Stamm. “That’s how we see this partnership and we want to commit to it fully.”
The BERGISCHE health insurer will provide support for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and the people of the region. In addition to day-to-day activities, there are health campaigns on matchdays for fans of all ages as well as assuming responsibility for projects like ‘Bayer 04 macht Schule’ educational work, ‘Bayer 04-Fußballschule’ soccer school and activities related to #B04eSports. Other elements of the contract include advertising for the BERGISCHE health insurer and the integration of the BERGISCHE health insurer family block at the BayArena.
About the company: The BERGISCHE health insurer has a long history: Founded almost 150 years ago as the health insurance provider for a Solingen company, customers can rely on its successful concept of attractive benefits, first class service and regional proximity.
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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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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