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.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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