Bayer 04 Leverkusen have been partners of SalzburgerLand Tourismus (SLTG) and Zell am See-Kaprun Tourism for over seven years. "Germany is by far our most important overseas market with over 11 million overnight stays. Just from North Rhine Westphalia, we have 350,000 guests with around two million overnight stays each year," said SLTG managing director Leo Bauernberger in underlining the significance of the long-term partnership.
Fernando Carro, chairman of the board at Bayer 04, also welcomed the extension of the partnership: "For years, we've enjoyed outstanding conditions in Salzburger Land for the build-up to the new season. We're looking forward to our next visit in the summer."
Tourism director Renate Ecker is also very keen, "to be able to welcome our friends from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Zell am See-Kaprun this summer. The partnership is of great value to us in our positioning as an Alpine holiday destination full of sporting opportunities."
The partnership with Bayer 04 Leverkusen is full of activity again from day one. In addition to the annual summer training camp, there are a range of joint marketing activities such as at last Saturday’s Bundesliga top game against Borussia Dortmund. At the "SalzburgerLand home game" partners from SalzburgerLand brought Alpine flair to the BayArena and invited people to holiday in the Salzburg mountains.
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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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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