…his past few weeks and months: We had a three-week break after the end of the Bundesliga season before we started preparing for the Champions League finals tournament. Then I had a couple of days off before starting to train again.
…the time Schick had to spend in quarantine: One of my Czech Republic teammates had a positive test for coronavirus. Several people from the team then had to go into quarantine – that included me. After the coronavirus tests proved negative for me, I was allowed to leave Prague and fly to Germany.
…first impressions in Leverkusen: I signed the contract after the medical – and today was the first training session. I'm very happy to be here. I've got to know my teammates and everybody's been really nice. The first training session went perfectly – the pitches are in good condition and the recovery options are outstanding. Everything you need to produce good performances is here.
…his decision to sign for Bayer 04: I had positive experiences at Leipzig. That's why I wanted to stay in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen have the same quality as Leipzig. The club are very ambitious and have an attractive, attacking style of play. I like that.
...the influence of his Czech Republic fellow countryman Michal Kadlec, who played for the Werkself from 2008 to 2013: I talked to him about Leverkusen in the run-up to the move. He said very positive things about the club and he helped me make the decision to come here.
…his current fitness level: Due to the time in quarantine, today's training was the first for me in around ten days. I think the cup game against Norderstedt (13 September, ed.) has come too soon for me. I have to start slowly and rediscover my form. I think I'll be ready for the first Bundesliga game at Wolfsburg.
…his targets with the Werkself: I want to play in the Champions League with Leverkusen. I'll fight as much as I can to achieve that target and I'd like to score as many goals as possible along the way.
Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and Bayer 04 loanee Francis Onyeka are part of Germany's final squad for the U19 European Championships this summer. The tournament is in Wales from 24 June to 12 July.
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New Bayer 04 head coach Carles Martínez has arrived in Leverkusen! At midday on Friday, the 42-year-old spoke in a press conference at the BayArena about his philosophy and his aims. Managing director sport Simon Rolfes also discussed the reasons for appointing the former Toulouse boss.
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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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