Back
1.08.2016Bayer 04

#B04inAustria – Day 5: Football, golf and rugby

The Werkself really got stuck in on Monday. Roger Schmidt and his fellow coaches came up with a special idea in the afternoon with rugby being introduced to the training session.
© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

The former world class player and captain of the Spain international team, Chema Bohorquez, dropped in to run the session. Jonathan Tah, Kyriakos Papadopoulos and all the other Werkself players took part. Tackling in rugby is a different proposition from football.

Bernhard’s followers

It was off to the golf course straight after that. The aim was not to run though all the Olympic sports but instead a Werkself course was set up in Zell am See. Golfing legend Bernhard Langer holds the record for the best round and several of the Werkself pros showed their ability with a driver. Inspired by Wendell, Kevin Volland hit the longest drive of the evening.

Bayer 04 and SalzburgerLand

As a son of the Salzburg region Julian Baumgartlinger is much in demand at the moment. Accordingly, he was well received at the press conference at the golf course. Along with Bayer 04 CEO Michael Schade, sporting director Rudi Völler and Roger Schmidt he joined Leo Bauernberger, the director of SalzburgerLand Tourismus GmbH, plus Renate Ecker, head of Zell am See-Kaprun Tourismus GmbH in front of the impressive club house to field questions from German and Austrian journalists. “I’m not surprised Bayer 04 are so happy to come here,” said the 28-year-old against the backdrop of a magical Alpine panorama.

Three returnees

Talking about Julian Baumgartlinger: The Austrian, along with his fellow countryman Ramazan Öczan was suffering with groin problems but both are now fit again. Both completed the full morning training session and joined in with the rugby session. The same goes for Wendell. The Brazilian fell awkwardly on Sunday so he was unable to give his all.

One departure

The Werkself squad has shrunk a little. Malcolm Cacutalua, who was in SalzburgerLand up to Saturday, has signed for Arminia Bielefeld. At Bayer 04 the 21-year-old, who spent the past two seasons on loan at VfL Bochum, won the DFB Under 19 Cup as captain in 2013.

#B04inAustria – Get close up

Anyone who wants to know what’s happening at the heart of the Werkself has a chance up to Tuesday night. Up to then the Snapchat story on bayer04snaps is available online with Jonathan Tah talking to fans on Monday. All other information and background details are available as ever using the hashtag #B04inAustria – on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

© Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fussball GmbH

Related News

Carles Martínez Novell
Bayer 04 - 04.06.2026

Carles Martínez Novell is new Bayer 04 head coach

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.

Show more
Carles Martínez Novell
Bayer 04 - 04.06.2026

Profile of Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez Novell

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.

Show more
Sommerfahrplan
Bayer 04 - 04.06.2026

2026/27 summer timetable: season opener against Sevilla - friendlies in Germany

Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.

Show more
Konstantinos_Kotsifakis.jpg
Bayer 04 - 03.06.2026

Konstantinos Kotsifakis set for assistant coach role with Bayer 04 U19s

Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.

Show more
BayArena
Bayer 04 - 03.06.2026

Runner-up for Pitch of the Year: Bayer 04 again recognised for outstanding pitch quality

Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.

Show more