Bayer 04 released Metaxas (pictured above with Markus von Ahlen) from his role as coach with the U17 to U19 teams after an official approach from Darmstadt on Friday evening. Together with the previous Bochum U19 coach Grammozis, Metaxas is expected to help the Lilies move up from the bottom third of the table.
"Iraklis Metaxas has done a brilliant coaching job with us along with Markus von Ahlen, Patrick Weiser and Jan Hoepner," declared sporting director Simon Rolfes. "It's recognition of that work and a great chance for Iraklis to be able to show his qualities at such an established pro club in the second division," added Rolfes. And Helmut Jungheim, as director of the Leverkusen Academy added, "IIraklis has contributed a lot of ideas as an experienced and proficient coach over the past two and a half years. We will make a decision about his successor in the next few days."
For Metaxas, the move to Darmstadt represents the next step in his coaching career. "I had a great time at Leverkusen. I'd like to thank everybody involved for all the great work we've done together and I wish Bayer 04 every success both at the first team and youth levels."
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended Abdoulaye Faye’s contract by a further year to 30 June 2031. During the 2026/27 season, the talented defender will play for Celta Vigo on loan without an option to buy. The 21-year-old Senegalese is set to feature in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with last season’s sixth-placed side in Spain.
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The Werkself's training camp in Weimarer Land all in one place: in our daily blog you'll find all the insights and updates from the day. The programme on day one (Sunday 2 August) includes a media round with managing director sport Simon Rolfes, free time for the team after the friendly against Rot-Weiss Essen and before an intensive week of training begins, as well as a coffee get-together where CEO Fernando Carro and Rolfes met around 100 fans in the afternoon.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have agreed Kerim Alajbegovic’s transfer to Italian record champions Juventus. The club brought the 18-year-old attacking player back to Leverkusen this summer via a buy-back option, following a season at Red Bull Salzburg. Until his move to Austria, the Bosnia international had been playing for Bayer 04’s Under-19s.
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A warm welcome to the Weimarer Land, Bayer 04! The Werkself moved into their accommodation for this year’s training camp on Saturday evening. In Blankenhain, Thuringia, head coach Carles Martínez’s team have a programme of gruelling training sessions – several of which will be open to fans – and team-building activities lined up for the next six days. We’ll be following the Werkself up close and providing you with exclusive insights, quotes, photos and videos from the training camp.
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With 22 days to go until the start of the Bundesliga campaign, the Bayer 04 Women’s team have gained a fresh boost of confidence. In a friendly against Belgian top-flight side KRC Genk on Saturday afternoon, coach Roberto Pätzold’s team secured a 1–0 win. Lobke Loonen (20’) scored the winner for the Black and Reds at the Kurtekotten training centre.
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