"Given the current situation in terms of results and after detailed and careful consideration we have reached this painful yet unavoidable decision in the best interests of Bayer 04," declared CEO Michael Schade. "It was very difficult for me to take this step as we have a lot to thank Roger Schmidt for. During his time in charge we have qualified for the Champions League group stage three times. He also implemented the philosophy of our youth policy in exemplary fashion bringing through young players including to international level and thus securing the future development of the club."
Sporting director Rudi Völler also found it difficult to release the head coach. "I believe Roger Schmidt is an absolute top coach and I have always given him my full support. But we have to act now if we are not going to lose touch with our targets," added Völler. "Now it's all about making a new start and finding consistency in our performances. Our team has great quality but unfortunately we have seen far too little of that this season. Following the departure of Roger Schmidt it is down to the players to show they still have that quality."
In Germany, the temperatures are currently around zero, leaving even professional footballers freezing - but not the Bayer 04 Women. Roberto Pätzold's team have fled the cold to the south and are preparing for the second half of the season at a training camp in the Algarve, almost 2,000 kilometres away from home as the crow flies. The Leverkusen squad landed in Faro on Saturday morning and have already completed the first three training sessions over the weekend.
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It was a disappointing Saturday night. The Werkself lost 4-1 to VfB Stuttgart to start the new year on Bundesliga matchday 16 in 2025/26, a result that left both players and fans disappointed. "We played without any passion," said Alejandro Grimaldo honestly afterwards. Teammate Jarell Quansah was even more self-critical, emphasising: "We were miles off it in the first half. You can't put in a performance like that, especially in front of our own fans and I can only apologise to them, to be honest." Read on for the reaction, facts and stats from the clash with VfB Stuttgart in the Werkself review.
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Women’s team forward Paulina Bartz is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen to play for Hamburg SV until the end of the season. The 20-year-old, whose contract runs to 2027, joins the Bundesliga newcomers on loan until the summer.
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Jarell Quansah and Alejandro Grimaldo speak to Werkself-TV following Bayer 04's 4-1 defeat to VfB Stuttgart on Bundesliga Matchday 16...
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