The current infection rate, which acts as a guideline and basis for official approval for matches to be played with crowds, has risen continuously in Leverkusen and surrounding districts since the start of October. At the moment the city of Leverkusen is classified as a risk area as the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants over the past seven days – known as the seven-day rate – has exceeded 50.
“It’s very difficult for us to have to manage without the support of our fans in the forthcoming crucial games. However, we want to and must play our part as an organisation and take responsibility as every other individual should do. We hope the trend not just in Leverkusen falls again as soon as possible,” said Fernando Carro, chairman of the board at Bayer 04.
Forthcoming Werkself fixtures:
FSV Mainz 05 v Bayer 04 (17 October, 15.30 CEST)
Bayer 04 v OGC Nice (22 October, 18.55 CEST)
Bayer 04 v FC Augsburg (26 October, 20.30 CET)
Slavia Prague v Bayer 04 (29 October, 21.00 CET)
SC Freiburg v Bayer 04 (1 November, 15.30 CET)
Hapoel Beer Sheva v Bayer 04 (5 November, 18.55 CET)
Bayer 04 v Borussia Mönchengladbach (8 November, 18.00 CET)
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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