The in part highly intensive tests such of spirogeometry did nothing to spoil the good mood. The first group of Werkself players including Jonathan Tah and Nadiem Amiri arrived at the Werkstatt, the Bayer 04 rehab and training centre at the BayArena, on Monday morning. They all completed a range of medical tests as well as coordination, mobility and stability checks.
Alejandro Grimaldo, Arthur and Gustavo Puerta also came to the BayArena over the course of Monday morning. The new signings were clearly happy and full of determination. The rest of the players including Jeremie Frimpong and young player Noah Mbamba arrived in the afternoon. Robert Andrich was also with the group. The 28-year-old midfielder has been working on his comeback after a metatarsal fracture in his left foot in the Werkstatt for the last couple of weeks.
The players recently on international duty were missing including goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky
Head coach Xabi Alonso will hold his first training session on Tuesday morning. The open session begins at 10.00 CEST.
The sessions on Wednesday (10.00 CEST), Thursday (10.30 CEST) and Friday (10.00 CEST) are also open to fans of the Black and Reds subject to late changes.
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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