This year the AGM also covered new elections for the board of the football section following the end of the three-year period of office. Meinolf Sprink, director of fans and community affairs was in charge of the vote.
There were no changes as a result of the vote and the section board for the next three years is made up as follows: Linda Schöttler (Women), Dirk Dreher (Veterans team/Council of elders), Roman Klossek (Youth) and Jürgen Gelsdorf as chair of the football section. Only the former Bayer 04 captain and coach Friedhelm Renno, who passed away at the start of the year, is no longer on the section board.
Following the welcome address from Jürgen Gelsdorf, Bayer 04 members who have passed away over the last 12 months were remembered. That was followed by tributes to members of TSV Bayer 04 with 25 years and more membership. Honoured for 25 years of Bayer 04 membership: Jörg Bittner, Helmut Heinz, Peter Küker, Heinz Pier, Dr. Josef Schmitt and Egon Urbach.
Gerd Kentschke and Edward Mattuszewski can look back at 50 years of membership. Hans-Peter Schmidt has clocked up 60 years of membership. But that's not all: Willi Kühl and Heinz-Dieter Nelles have been loyal to the Werkself for 70 years.
The eleven long-serving members were presented with a Bayer 04 shirt with their name on as a thank you for their years of loyalty. In addition, all the long-serving members of the past four years will receive an invite to the Barmenia Lounge for the Bundesliga home game against RB Leipzig (Sunday 23 April, 17.30 CET).
Following the presentations, Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO and sporting managing director Simon Rolfes reported on the situation with the first team. Thomas Eichin (head of the Performance Centre) also addressed the meeting on the Women's and Youth section, Dirk Dreher informed the meeting about the Veterans team.
There were no motions for the AGM.
In mid-August, the Werkself will set off on a four-day trip to England to play their final two friendly matches of the 2026/27 pre-season against Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. The match in Nottingham against the Tricky Trees is on Wednesday 12 August at 20:45 CEST (19:45 BST) at the City Ground. The game against the Magpies in Newcastle is on Saturday 15 August at 16:00 CEST (15:00 BST) at the atmospheric St James’ Park. Details on ticket sales for both matches.
Show more
Black and Red talent development at the highest level – even off the pitch: Apprentices Jule Suermann, Leandra Bellia and Julia Niederheide have successfully completed their two- or three-year apprenticeships at the club. Bayer 04 honoured the trio at the BayArena on Tuesday.
Show more
The Werkself return tomorrow, Tuesday 14 July (from 11:00 CEST at the BayArena; live stream on bayer04.de, the Bayer 04 app and YouTube), with new head coach Carles Martínez leading his first training session as part of the Bayer 04 set-up. His coaching team comprises a mix of new and long-standing colleagues.
Show more
The Germany U19 team were beaten 2-0 by record champions Spain in the final of the U19 European Championship in Wales. Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan at SV 07 Elversberg) were in the starting line-up and played the full 90 minutes.
Show more
