Patrik Schick particularly impressed in the 2021/22 season with his efficiency and cool finishing in front of goal. With 24 goals in the Bundesliga, Schick scored the second highest number of goals for the Werkself in their 43 years in the Bundesliga – only club legend and first team coordinator Stefan Kießling is narrowly ahead. The Czech scored a goal in the league every 87 minutes on average. That overshadows the existing record held by 'Kies'.
In spite of setbacks through injury, which the Czech Republic international had to overcome this season, Schick is the Werkself Player of the Season for the supporters of the Black and Reds. Bayer 04 congratulate the Werkself number 14 who was able to win the hearts of the fans in his first year under the Bayer Cross.
The Prague-born player has made a clear statement both on and off the pitch. The early contract extension to the end of the 2027 season shows the commitment of the 26-year-old to the Werkself: "I feel really at home here but, above all, our team is very promising for the future. It's incredible fun with these lads and we are really keen to achieve something." That mentality promises more seasons of goals and success for the Werkself to experience together with the 2021/22 Player of the Season...
The second highest number of votes was clocked up by last year's winner: Youngster Florian Wirtz lost out in the race to be Werkself Player of the Season in spite of a great campaign. Pacy winger Moussa Diaby is in third place. The France international thrilled Bayer 04 supporters with his breathtaking attacking football that saw him contribute a combined total of 25 goals and assists in the Bundesliga last term.
The Player of the Season trophy will be presented at the season launch on 31 July by one member on behalf of the fan community.
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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