25 years ago today: The Werkself on the brink

Rudi Völler has no doubts about it today: "Bayer 04 were on the brink like never before or since." 18 May 1996 brought the relegation showdown in Leverkusen. FC Kaiserslautern had to win to stay up; the Werkself only needed a draw. It was a thrilling finale on Bismarckstraße. With a hero that hardly anybody expected: Markus Münch not only scored the leveller at 1-1 to save the faltering club but that strike also marked the starting point for the most successful period in the club's history to date. We look back after 25 years.

Ramelow and Fach Interview

The one arrived from Hertha Berlin as a talented 21-year-old, the other was one of the most experienced players under the Bayer Cross at the age of nearly 33. How was the 1995/96 season for Carsten Ramelow and Holger Fach? 04 questions to two players who stood their ground for 90 minutes in the crucial clash with Kaiserslautern. HERE is the interview.

Drama in thre acts

A stage director could hardly have come up with a better show. This season for Bayer 04 had everything that makes a classic drama. Strong characters, a suspense curve with a dramatic fall for the hero, conflicts, self deceit, the unstoppable navigation towards the catastrophe and finally catharsis, salvation, the thrilling final against FC Kaiserslautern. In this detailed article we divide the 1995/96 season into three acts. Read on HERE.

LIVE ab 15.50 Uhr | Newcastle United - Bayer 04 | Testspiel

Werkself-TV - 15.08.2026

LIVE from 3.50 pm | Newcastle United – Bayer 04 | Test game

Bayer 04 will round off their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with a friendly against Premier League side Newcastle United. The match against the side featuring German internationals Malik Thiaw and Nick Woltemade will take place on Saturday 15 August (kick-off: 4 pm German time/3 pm local time) at St James’ Park. Werkself-TV will stream the match live in full and free of charge after logging in from 3.50 pm...

Facundo Medina im Training in Nottingham

Bayer 04 - 13.08.2026

Medina, Palacios, Quansah and Co train at Nottingham Forest

After the 2-1 defeat at Premier League club Nottingham Forest the night before, it was straight back to work for the Werkself at midday on Thursday with an intensive training session in hot temperatures at the hosts' training ground.

Bayer 04 - 12.08.2026

First defeat of the pre-season at Nottingham Forest

The Werkself suffered a first defeat in the current pre-season fixtures. The sixth friendly of the summer ended in 2-1 reverse at Premier League Nottingham Forest. The English side took an early lead (4’) but Patrik Schick levelled just after the half-hour mark (32’). Nothing much happened after that, and the match looked set to end in a draw. However, the hosts managed to score the winning goal late on (90').

Bayer 04 - 12.08.2026

Bayer 04 loan Jeremiah Mensah to Dutch club

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.

Bayer 04 - 12.08.2026

Bayer 04 responds to Bundeskartellamt statement

Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH has taken note of the final, non-binding statement issued by the Bundeskartellamt regarding the 50+1 rule and its application, and will now examine it carefully.

25 years ago today: The Werkself on the brink

Ramelow and Fach Interview

Drama in thre acts

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Medina, Palacios, Quansah and Co train at Nottingham Forest

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Bayer 04 responds to Bundeskartellamt statement