"Each and every one of you is a very important part of the club and the success of recent years. Thank you for everything," stressed Xabi Alonso in his farewell words to the club staff on Thursday afternoon. Visibly moved, assistant coach Sebastian Parrilla also added - and in German: "Bayer 04 has become family. I will always carry this club in my heart!"
Argentine Sebastian Parrilla arrived at Leverkusen with Xabi Alonso in the autumn of 2022, after the two had already spent three years together at Real Sociedad San Sebastian B in Spain. Parrilla and Alonso got to know each other in the Real Madrid youth set-up before joining San Sebastian.
Alberto Encinas completed the coaching staff as assistant coach in 2021. The Spaniard joined from Barcelona, where he had previously spent four years as assistant coach of the U19s.
Ismael Camenforte Lopez also moved to under the Bayer cross in 2021. In his first season at Bayer 04, the Spaniard was responsible for training methodology at the Kurtekotten performance centre, before joining the coaching staff of the first team at the start of the 2022/23 season and taking on the role of athletics coach.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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