In addition to the two managing directors Fernando Carro and Rudi Völler, the sporting director Simon Rolfes, the coaching and support staff, there are 27 players staying at the conference hotel owned by Bayer Gastronomie GmbH. The players are Lucas Alario, Nadiem Amiri, Charles Aránguiz, Ayman Azhil, Leon Bailey, Julian Baumgartlinger, Karim Bellarabi, Lars Bender, Sven Bender, Kerem Demirbay, Moussa Diaby, Aleksandar Dragovic, Kai Havertz, Lukas Hradecky, Niklas Lomb, Wendell, Ramazan Özcan, Exequiel Palacios, Paulinho, Daley Sinkgraven, Adrian Stanilewicz, Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba, Mitchell Weiser, Fabian Rüth, Marcel Lotka and Florian Wirtz.
After arriving in Wermelskirchen, Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, explained the decision to use the hotel in Bergisches Land. “It was important to us for the players to have the chance to get away from the training ground – that’s why we decided against using the Lindner Hotel at the BayArena and for the Große Ledder. On top of that, our hygiene officer Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar looked at the hotel beforehand. We can meet all the hygiene and organisational requirements here,” said the 55-year-old.
With regard to the forthcoming intensity of the coming weeks, it is very important to have regular communication with the players. Fernando Carro: “We rarely have so many and long meetings with the team as we’re having at the moment. We’ve explained a lot to them and answered their questions. We all see it as a privilege to be able to carry on with the Bundesliga. Therefore, we are grateful for the confidence shown in us and we’ll do all we can to make sure playing the games is as safe as possible and that we fulfil all requirements.”
The Black and Reds will only leave their accommodation this week for the – continuing closed – sessions at the training ground at the BayArena. On Sunday, 17 May, Carro, Völler and Co. will head north. Bayer 04 are away to Werder Bremen at the Wohninvest Weserstadion in the final game of matchday 26 on Monday, 18 May, at 20.30 CET. That is followed by another away game at Borussia Mönchengladbach (22-24 May). The first home fixture at the BayArena is on 26 or 27 May when VfL Wolfsburg are the visitors.
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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Bayer 04 are away to third-division club SV Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal. That was the outcome of the draw on Saturday night, 6 June, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. The Werkself first round tie will be played between 21 and 24 August. The exact date has yet to be finalised.
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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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