June of last year. 10 months, 45 weeks or 317 days ago. Paulinho had just returned to Leverkusen after playing in an Olympic qualifier for the Brazil U23s. He felt he was “in good form” and “really integrated in the team” at that time. He was looking to play as many games as possible for Bayer 04 in 2020/21 and was working hard every day to achieve that target.
However, just before the DFB Cup final against Bayern Munich at the start of July, there was a massive setback in a training session in the shadow of the BayArena: a torn cruciate. A break of unpredictable length, rehab facilities instead of Bundesliga stadiums. Initially a big shock for the agile and technically-gifted football player from South America.
But giving up was not an option for Paulinho. At the Leverkusen ‘Werkstatt’, based in the BayArena, he started his individual programme – and with his comeback on the final matchday at Borussia Dortmund he made a positive finish to a season that will be one to forget for him.
In the thirteen-minute Bayer 04 TV documentary, the 20-year-old talks in detail about his time on the sidelines, the support of his family over those months. The Werkself team doctor Dr. Philipp Ehrenstein also shares his view, Carsten Rademacher (head of rehab therapy) and rehab coach Gregor Stumpf talk about getting the levels right in the sessions.
Exclusive insights into the rehab of our number 7 plus the home life with his Brazilian family in Germany – that and much more can be seen in ‘Never stop fighting’ on YouTube from Friday, 11 June at 16.00 CEST. HERE is the link.
The Bayer 04 Women's team coaches remain in place: The Werkself have extended the contract with assistant coach Remzi Kahraman by two years to 2027. The 30-year-old will continue to assist head coach Roberto Pätzold along with fellow assistant coach Friederike Mehring.
Show moreThe head coaches of the U16 to U19 youth teams at Bayer 04 welcome some new faces to the coaching staff for the 2025/26 campaign. Overview of new set-up.
Show moreThe Bayer 04 Women are enjoying their richly deserved summer break up to 23 June following the best Bundesliga season in the club’s history. Six weeks after last season’s final matchday at VfL Wolfsburg (1-3), head coach Roberto Pätzold will welcome his squad for the first training session at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre on Monday morning. There will be a break in the preseason from 20 July to 3 August before training resumes on Monday, 4 August.
Show moreThe Werkself summer timetable is taking shape. The team under head coach Erik ten Hag will play four friendlies following the training camp in Rio de Janeiro (14 to 24 July). Bayer 04 are away to VfL Bochum, Fortuna Sittard and Chelsea. Another friendly is planned for the season opener at the BayArena.
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