
For the Bayer 04 CEOs Fernando Carro de Prada and Michael Schade "This partnership is both fitting and ambitious: On the one hand, an international company with over 50 years experience of health-oriented, efficient weight training founded on a scientific basis with in-house machines represents an extraordinary success story. On the other hand, a top German club active all over the world able to use the expertise of the new partner directly to achieve ambitious sporting targets," said Schade.
Michael Antonopoulos, CEO and co-owner of Kieser Training, sees the commitment to a Bundesliga club " as a unique opportunity to associate our sporting concept with such a successful club and to further extend the use of weight training. We are looking forward very much to a long-term and successful partnership."
And for sporting director Rudi Völler the long-term cooperation with Kieser Training represents an ideal development: "Having established themselves as a globally respected and recognised professional provider of weight training since 1967, they have impressively demonstrated their expertise," said Völler. "Kieser Training is a brand established in the minds of people and is synonymous with effective and healthy muscle development. A real constant in a market shaped by temporary fitness fashions and thereby a great partner we can look forward to working with very much here at Leverkusen."
Founded in 1967 by the Swiss Werner Kieser, the weight training chain currently has 158 studios with 283,000 members, which are partly operated as franchise studios. With around 1,700 employees in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Luxembourg and Australia, every single Kieser Training studio provides professional training management and support as well as a consistent offer based on continuing scientific research. This creates a company personality of unmistakable character with the public.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
Show more
Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
Show more
Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
Show more
Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
Show more
Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
Show more