Staff members season launch: Carro, Rolfes, ten Hag and new signings ring in the new season

After the welcome from Fernando Carro, the CEO shared insights into the current squad plans for the first team and also spoke about the extremely positive and successful development of recent years. The clear message from the 61-year-old to the staff: "Our ambition remains unchanged and as a club we are at a completely different level than a couple of years ago. We will carry on and there's no reason for second thoughts." Managing director sport Simon Rolfes declared: "We have achieved success together as a club. That is the result of fantastic work by many people and everybody here. We don't believe in individuals and don't depend on them, we believe in the club as a whole."

"We as coaching staff have received a really warm welcome here and I'm very grateful for that. Very many people are doing a great job in the background so the team and the club can work," said head coach Erik ten Hag directing his words to the staff.

Tillman: "looking forward to playing here at the stadium soon"

Also on a small stage at the edge of the pitch: the new signings Ibrahim Maza, Mark Flekken, Axel Tape, Jarell Quansah, Christian Kofane, Malik Tillman, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht, Janis Blaswich and Ernest Poku.

USA international Tillman said: "My excitement at the season was massive when I saw and wore the jersey for the first time in Los Angeles. I'm looking forward to finally being able to play here at the stadium too. Up to now I feel very good and happy here in Leverkusen." The Netherlands international keeper Flekken said: "It's really good to be here. Of course, also to be a bit closer to family and my home country. We won in the DFB Pokal and now we can finally get going in the Bundesliga!"

Schöttler on record season for the women

Following the lively discussions with the new first team signings, a small group of the Bayer 04 Women's team, due to the training camp taking place in Bavaria at the same time, entered the stage. Team manager Linda Schöttler said looking back at the 2024/25 season: "In the end it was the most successful season in the club's history despite one or two setbacks. We want to build on that." Caroline Kehrer, currently injured as is Selina Ostermeie, said: "I can hardly wait and I'm full of anticipation to get back on the pitch as soon as possible."

Director of professional teams Thomas Eichin added: "The success of last year was planned. The outcome of the season was down to the continuous development and great work at the club but also the improved framework.”

Bresser: lay the foundations early on

The next area discussed on the stage was the youth section. Rolfes talked about the example of the debut for the first team for the 17-year-old player Jeremiah Mensah in the DFB Pokal tie at Sonnenhof Großaspach: "It's very important to us to get players like Jerry to a position where they can play at the BayArena every week." Asked about the loan transfers of top talents like Artem Stepanov and Francis Onyeka, the managing director sport explained: "They are players we trust to be ready for our team in one or two years if they make good progress now."

The head of the Performance Centre Jefta Bresser said in relation to the youngest year groups: "The Future Kids project is very important for the club to lay foundations for a successful career at an early age while also improving the daily routine for the children to make it possible for them to spend more time with their family."

The final area was the Inklusionswerkself. Manager Eli Garcia explained the inclusive project as follows: "The team has developed over many years and it continues to grow. For us, the 15th anniversary this year was a suitable opportunity to integrate the team as an integral part of the club under this title," coach Niclas Albers: "A big thank you on behalf of everybody, above all on behalf of the players, that we can be part of this club. This team is something very special!"