The #Bayer04MexicoTour is a highlight of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Bayer Mexico. The delegation was led by Arturo Sanchez (president of Bayer Consumer Health Latin America) and Mikel Arriola (president of the Mexican league MX) plus the management of the top-flight Mexican clubs Deportivo Toluca und Club América.
After arriving late on Friday evening, the group from Mexico received an insight into the world of Bayer 04 over the weekend. The programme included a guided tour of the BayArena, a U19 home game at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium as well as a visit to the Kurtekotten Performance Centre. The visitors received a presentation from Thomas Eichin, head of the Bayer 04 Performance Centre, on the professional structure and way of working in the youth and women sections at Bayer 04.
"The visit to the training ground was very interesting. It was exciting to see the level here and how professional the youth and women's teams are run," said Arturo Sanchez. "The whole infrastructure is impressive and shows the ambition here to work to achieve bigger targets."
After a number of discussions at the weekend on the planned projects, Monday took the group to the German Football League (DFL) in Frankfurt where Donata Hopfen, CEO of the DFL, explained the internationalisation strategy of the Bundesliga to the visitors. The visit was rounded off on Monday night at the BayArena watching the 2-0 home win for the Werkself against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The #Bayer04MexicoTour runs from 15 to 20 May in Mexico. The Werkself will play a friendly on Tuesday 17 May at the Estadio Nemesio Diez against the Mexican top-flight side Deportivo Toluca. In addition, a number of marketing and PR events are planned in the Mexican capital, plus discussions with representatives of the Mexican league and a cultural programme including visits to community facilities.
As with the other youth teams (U16 to U19), Bayer 04 are also relying on familiar faces—some in new roles—and fresh impetus from the coaching staff for the 2026/27 season in the younger age groups. An overview of the U11 to U15 teams.
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After eight years in the youth set-up at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Benjamin Adam is leaving the club. The 35-year-old, who most recently coached the Leverkusen U17s, will take charge of the Hansa Rostock U19 team next season.
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As well as internal changes and familiar faces, Bayer 04 are also looking to bring fresh impetus to the coaching staff of the senior youth squads for the 2026/27 campaign. Here is an overview of the U19, U17 and U16 teams.
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Bayer 04 have signed 16-year-old defensive midfielder Kennet Eichhorn from Hertha Berlin. The Germany U17 international is joining the Werkself from the Berlin Bundesliga 2 club on a long-term contract. Eichhorn made 19 appearances for the Hertha Berlin first team last season, scoring two goals.
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