
Neither pouring rain nor soaked clothing could stop the 75-strong Bayer 04 team of sprucing up parts of the former site of the state garden show: With the support of the Friends of Neuland Park and the counselling organisation in Leverkusen, work was done in several themed gardens in terms of digging and improvement: Rolls of turf were transported, cut to shape and laid, plants supported and in places new plants put in, drainage was laid, weeds were removed, old benches dismantled and, last but not least, 80 tonnes of shells were transported and distributed along individual paths – with the help of machines but mainly through the use of shovels, wheelbarrows, rakes and countless steps.
After the morning training session, the Werkself players and coaches joined in to lend a hand to the workaholics with their improvement work.

















Prior to the day, an outdoor gym had been set up in Neuland Park consisting of four pieces of fitness training equipment for the whole body and Bayer 04 Fußball GmbH has made a financial contribution. Next year, another four pieces of fitness equipment painted black and red will be installed – and preparatory work was done on the day of action in terms of laying foundations.

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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Carles Martìnez is raring to go. The 42-year-old speaks in his first interview in Leverkusen about the club's development to date and how he wants to build on it. He describes his previous work in France, Kuwait, Qatar and his native Barcelona, his experience in developing young players, and the key steps between now and the start of pre-season training.
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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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