The event in Leverkusen was attended by representatives from Inter Milan, Sporting CP, Rapid Vienna, Real Sociedad, Rangers, Feyenoord and Anderlecht. They all received a detailed view of the work at the Werkself on and off the pitch. “We now find a very high level of ability at many performance centres. However, there are three key points where we stand out at Bayer 04: the holistic training system for the players, the special coaches training and the new fitness concept applicable to all age groups,” explained Thomas Eichin, head of the Performance Centre..
Those areas were the focus of workshop over several days. The first day started with a tour of Kurtekotten including discussions with the management of the youth section. Watching the youth teams train was also on the agenda.
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The focus on day two was initially on the education set-up. Jutta Wellmann, school coordinator, and Frank Ditgens (head of education) presented the lecture. “Youth development work here is marked by long-term, constant developments in a calm environment with established contacts over the long term. That brings together our idea of seeing football, fun, values, education and development in a holistic system. We place great emphasis on dual careers,” explained Wellman.
In the afternoon, Keld Bordinggaard explained the structure of the Bayer 04 coaching academy. “The creation of a well-founded further education system for the club’s coaches is the foundation of sporting success. That includes the constant development of expertise in terms of the Bayer 04 approach and thereby a continual improvement in the individual development of our coaches and players,” explained the 59-year-old head of the section created in 2020.
Simon Rolfes joined the group on Thursday morning. The sporting managing director welcomed the participants and used the opportunity to get to know the club representatives. Football was the focus here with the final day dedicated to the fitness concept. Erik Roqueta, U19 fitness coach, presented a range of drills and key points in training in the youth section: “We want to be preventive and actively include football-specific and physical and fitness elements in our sessions. That helps to reduce the likelihood of injury. At the same time, we are working towards a physical advantage compared to our rivals,” Roqueta explained.
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The target of the ECA Academy is to hold these workshops at the different venues of the participating clubs on a regular basis to promote a joint exchange on the European level and encourage the further development of European youth football. “We’ve had three highly productive days with interesting and valuable discussions,” said Eichin after the event. “We are very much looking forward to visiting other clubs and adding substance to the idea of the Academy.”
The European Club Association was founded in 2008 and is an independent organisation that represents and promotes the interests of football clubs at a European level. Bayer 04 CEO Fernando Carro has been a member of the ECA board since 2021 and he is also on the committee for UEFA club competitions. Further information on the ECA can be found HERE.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg on the 2nd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.
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Bayer 04’s eight opponents in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League have been confirmed. At the draw on Friday 28 August held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the Werkself were drawn against two opponents from each of the four pots. There are a total of four home and four away matches. Read on for details of opponents and fixture dates.
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In the 3-2 defeat at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg, the Werkself found the back of the net in the closing stages and, with a bit of luck, could still have equalised. “Today, our play wasn’t good enough, particularly when it came to the basics,” said head coach Carles Martínez. Like the boss, Ibrahim Maza also wants to learn from the match and look ahead: “Next week, people should be able to see from the very first minute that we want it more than our opponents.” The Werkself review on the Bundesliga opener in 2026/27.
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Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-3 loss at SV 07 Elversberg on Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...
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No points to start the league campaign: Bayer 04 lost 3-2 away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg in the first Bundesliga match of the 2026/27 campaign. Two quick-fire goals from Lukas Petkov (8’) and Cole Campbell (10’) gave the hosts an early lead, before David Mokwa scored the Saarland side’s third shortly after half-time (46’). In the closing stages, the Werkself rallied and staged a late comeback with goals from Patrik Schick (77’) and Christian Kofane (90+1’), but the Black and Reds were denied an equaliser.
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