…the first full training session after the two-week 'summer break': The numbers at training were not that big as, in addition to Kai Havertz, Kevin Volland and Leon Bailey (in quarantine in Jamaica, ed.), the international players were also missing.
…the considerably shortened build-up to the first competitive match in the DFB Cup against Eintracht Norderstedt on 13 September: It's the fourth or fifth build-up in 2020– and that feels strange. You normally have six weeks to prepare for a new season. Now there's another very short build-up but we've already got experienced of that. The advantage is that I'm not a new coach. I've been working here for one and a half years and I know most of the players. I know what I can expect of my team. They haven't lost everything in the two-week break. The basic fitness is there.
…the current position with the squad: Our squad isn't complete yet. For example, I'm not expecting Kevin Volland or Kai Havertz to train with us again. However, it's normal that there are changes during a transfer window. We coaches can deal with that. I've expressed my wishes to the management. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
…the challenge of this year's build-up: It's always great for coaches if the squad is complete at the start of training. But that's almost never the case these days. A lot has been put back due to coronavirus. That makes things complicated. My responsibility as a coach is to deal with it.
…the recent vacancy as the Dutch coach: It's an honour for every Dutchman to be the national coach of his home country. That's the biggest achievement for a coach. But momentum also counts in football. And you aren’t always in control of that. It only makes sense to think about it if you're asked. And that hasn't happened up to now. Also we've only got two weeks before the start of the Bundesliga. I need all my time here for Bayer 04.
The second friendly and the first goal for the Bayer 04 Women: The Werkself just missed out on their first win in the preseason away to top-flight Dutch side PEC Zwolle. The team led by coach Roberto Pätzold drew 1-1 on Friday afternoon in Wezep. As with the friendly against TSG Hoffenheim (0-2) a number of first-team players were absent. The coach once again shared out time on the pitch for the 20-player squad. The goal of the match was scored by summer signing Vanessa Fudalla (67').
Show moreContinuity under the Cross: After the successful season in 2024/25 with reaching the final of the VBL Club Championship, the two Leverkusen e-sports players Marc and Sean Landwehr have extended their contracts at Bayer 04 by an additional two years. Marc is thereby in his sixth year and Sean in his third year with the Werkself. Together with e-talent Marcus Hüttemann, who has also extended his stay at Bayer 04 Bayer year, completes the current squad for the 2025/26 season.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed centre forward Christian Kofane. The 18-year-old Cameroonian joins Leverkusen from Spanish second tier club Albacete on a contract to 30 June 2029.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will wear the new away kit for the 2025/26 season at the start of the training camp in Brazil. In conscious contrast to the international aspect of this year's training camp in Rio de Janeiro, kit supplier New Balance has designed a jersey for the Werkself players and all other Bayer 04 teams with distinct links to home.
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