Back
4.05.2022Youth

Runge takes charge of U17s – Continuity with U19 coaching staff

Preparations for the 2022/23 season are in full swing in the youth section at Bayer 04. Decisions have been made in terms of coaching staff. The Spaniard Sergi Runge moves up from assistant to head coach of the U17 team in the summer while there are no personnel changes in the U19s. The only new signing amongst the youth coaches is Yannick Lamberz from Fortuna Düsseldorf who will take charge of the U12 squad.
crop_20220302_FS_SERGIRUNGE_30096.jpg

Continuity in the head coach role with the oldest youth team: Sven Hübscher, working under the Bayer Cross for the past 18 months, will again be responsible for the Leverkusen U19 team next season, his assistant coach is Markus Daun. The Hübscher team missed out by just one goal in the semi-finals of the U19 German championships last weekend. Bayer 04 finished third in the U19 Bundesliga West.

Walther is new U17 FItness coach

The U17 team will have a new head coach for the 2022/23 season: The Spaniard Sergi Runge, who speaks fluent German and is currently the assistant coach of the team, now takes charge of the Bayer 04 U17 squad. "Sergi has made a very good impression on recent months. He has quickly settled in to his new role and he has everything required to be the coach in charge," said Thomas Eichin, head of the Youth and Women's teams at Bayer 04.

Runge came to Leverkusen at the beginning of March from the world famous Barcelona academy. The 28-year-old was assistant coach of the U16 side at the top Spanish club. Before that, Runge was assistant coach of the first team and head coach of the U17s at the top Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelnse.

In addition to assistant coach Thomas Zdebel, Runge will have a new fitness coach from the summer: Philipp Walther joined Leverkusen from the Fortuna Düsseldorf U17s. The Fortuna U17s qualified for the semi-finals of the German Championships last season with the 28-year-old in charge of fitness.

Coaching line-up for 2022/23:

U19: Sven Hübscher, Markus Daun

U17: Sergi Runge, Thomas Zdebel

Academy team/U16: Benjamin Adam, TBA

U15: Mirko Casper, Marvin Schmitz

U14: Pierre de Wit, Fritz Vosen

U13: Erdal Celik, Marco Walter

U12: Yannick Lamberz, Dominik Kepper

U11: Alexander Nuss, Achim Gödde

U10: Sebastian Lang, René Färber

U9: Tim Molowitz​, TBA

U8: Jürgen Haagmans, Mark Fuldauer, Dennis Sartory

 

Related News

Jubel der Werkself
Women - 08.10.2026

Women: 3-1 win in friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach

The Bayer 04 women’s team secured a win in the friendly during the international break. Without a total of eight international players, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team defeated Bundesliga 2 side Borussia Mönchengladbach 3–1 at the Kurtekotten Training Centre, thanks to goals from Lobke Loonen (1’, penalty), Caroline Kehrer (41') and Valentina Mädl (66').

Show more
Sheraldo Becker und Phillip Tietz
Bundesliga - 08.10.2026

Our next opponents: Deadly duo on form up front

FSV Mainz 05 went into the international break on the back of an away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Currently sixth in the table, the Rheinhessen side – who have been impressive on the road – now aim to continue their good start to the Bundesliga campaign at home when they face the Werkself on Saturday, 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). In terms of squad selection, Urs Fischer once again has more options at his disposal. Up front, the Mainz coach is likely to continue relying on what is currently the league’s most successful strike partnership. The lowdown on our next opponents.

Show more
Chinesische Delegation mit Stefan Kießling
Bayer 04 - 07.10.2026

BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou visits Leverkusen

Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.

Show more
crop_imago1084221559h.jpg
Bayer 04 - 07.10.2026

International roundup: Quansah plays full 90 minutes again – Medina features in Messi farewell match

During the first international break of the 2026/27 season, set to last just under three weeks, nine Bayer 04 first-team players are in action with their respective national teams. Read on for updates on matches featuring Werkself players…

Show more