The Bayer 04 delegation will first visit the North American headquarters of Bayer AG (Consumer Health). At a town hall meeting and ensuing discussions, the employees will have the opportunity to get up close to the three trophies and take a souvenir photo. Other activities on the trophy tour include a ‘Champions night’ reception with top-class guests in Manhattan, visits to the governor of New Jersey and the Bundesliga International Americas Office on Union Square plus a range of media events.
Carro: "The historic success of last season was the result of our exceptional performances on the pitch. However, the basis for that was the work of all employees at the club. This special teamwork, that involved everybody in and around the club and in partnership with Bayer AG, made our success possible." The CEO emphasised: "We now want the whole Bayer 04 family and our Bayer colleagues worldwide to share in what has been achieved. On this trophy tour we see ourselves as ambassadors for the Bundesliga. We want to contribute to raising the visibility and profile in one of the most important foreign markets for our domestic league."
Dave Tomasi, president of Bayer North America (Consumer Health Division): "It’s an honor to welcome and host Bayer 04 Leverkusen as the first stop of their trophy tour in the Americas. The team’s accomplishments this past year have been truly inspiring, and their dedication and determination on the field truly match Bayer’s commitment to creating a better world where health and nutrition empower all. Here's to their journey of continued success and the shared values that make us all champions!"
At the end of the tour on Saturday, 14 September, Bayer 04 will hold a 'watchparty' on Bundesliga Matchday 3 that sees the Werkself take on TSG Hoffenheim in the second away game of this season. The match will be broadcast live at the Radegast Hall & Biergarten in Brooklyn, New York. In the late afternoon, the trophies will be displayed at Saturdays Football Boutique on Broome Street in Manhattan, Little Italy, before the Bayer 04 group head back to Germany.
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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