One thing is certain since Sunday night and the DFB Cup draw: The Bundesliga second half of the season game on Saturday 15 February (kick-off: 15.30 CET) away to FC Union Berlin will not be the last meeting between the Werkself and the team from Köpenick in the current campaign. The Bundesliga teams face each other in the DFB cup quarter-finals, albeit at the BayArena. Today, the DFB announced the timings for the last eight ties: Bayer 04 entertain Union on Wednesday 4 March at 18.30 CET. The match will be broadcast live on Sky, Sport1 and Werkself Radio (at bayer04.de).
DFB Cup quarter-finals:
Tuesday, 3 March, 18.30 CET: 1. FC Saarbrücken v Fortuna Düsseldorf (Sky)
Tuesday, 3 March, 20.45 CET: FC Schalke 04 v Bayern Munich (ARD/Sky)
Wednesday, 4 March, 18.30 CET: Bayer 04 Leverkusen v FC Union Berlin (Sport1/Sky)
Wednesday, 4 March, 20.45 CET: Eintracht Frankfurt v Werder Bremen (ARD/Sky)
Following today's FFT session (football fitness training), head coach Peter Bosz spoke to journalists on being positive about the competition for places in holding midfield. "Nadiem (Amiri, ed) did a great job against Dortmund, Lars (Bender, ed) did too," said the 56-year-old. After today's return of Exequiel Palacios, Charles Aránguiz and Julian Baumgartlinger to full training, it appears unlikely that Lars Bender will play in holding midfield. Bosz added: "Nevertheless, it's good to know as a coach that there is another option in this position." The Dutchman was also happy with the development of Daley Sinkgraven. The 24-year-old has started in the last four games after recovering from a thigh injury. "I know what Daley can do as I worked with him for a year at Ajax. After an injury, it's always difficult to find your rhythm again. But he's on the right track," said Bosz about his fellow countryman.
Central defender Jonathan Tah today celebrates his 24th birthday. Even at this young age, the Hamburg born defender can already look back at 167 games for Bayer 04. The 1.95 metre giant has scored four goals and provided seven assists. A notable achievement: Tah has only been sent off once: In a 2-1 away win for the Werkself at Bayern Munich (November 2019).
The Internet portal transfermarkt.de today published a special update of its market values. This included Leverkusen's winter signing Edmund Tapsoba. The market value of the 21-year-old was increased from 4.5 to 16 million euros. The central defender joined Leverkusen from the Portuguese top-flight side Vitória Guimarães.
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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