The men who are in the running for the best XI of the last year are Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong. The quintet were previously voted into the Bundesliga Team of the Season last year. The five Bayer 04 players were also shortlisted for the Men's 11 in The Best FIFA Football Awards.
Meanwhile, Kristin Kögel of Bayer 04 Women is up for the female top XI of 2024. The Women's Team of the Year is being awarded for the second time this year, with Kögel the first Leverkusen player to be nominated.
The Men's Team of the Year will be selected from over 80 players, while there are a total of 70 women's players to choose from. Both teams will consist of one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers. In both cases, a twelfth TOTY card is also chosen. In addition, EA Sports traditionally awards other players with TOTY cards as ‘Honourable Mentions’.
The vote runs until Monday 13 January, with the final TOTYs being announced successively by position from 17 January.
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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