A total of 22 outfield players plus four goalkeepers were welcomed back by Peter Bosz (HERE the 56-year-old talks about the start of training sessions) under the eyes of sporting managing director Rudi Völler and sporting director Simon Rolfes at the training ground. The Dutchman had Lars Bender and Co. begin the 75-minute session with classic rondos. That was followed by passing drills, shooting practice and finished with a game on a smaller pitch before Bosz ended the first training just after 19.04.
Absentees were Paulinho, who is out of action for a long time following his torn cruciate, plus the trio of returning loanees Tin Jedvaj (from FC Augsburg), Joel Pohjanpalo (Hamburg SV) and Panos Retsos (Sheffield United). The returnees cannot play in the Europa League; Bosz has given them an extension to their time off.
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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