
The FCSA, in cooperation with the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation and the DFL Foundation, run the Tandem Young Coach training every year. The tandems are formed from one person with and one person without a disability with the target of them getting to know each other and provide mutual support.
Twelve pairs were selected again this year – in addition to Bayer 04, there were also five members of the FCSA represented from FC Basel, Werder Bremen and Mainz 05. In addition, seven of the pairs from inclusive teams from different state associations were nominated by the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation and the DFL Foundation.
In addition to theoretical and practical sessions, the tandems also had the opportunity to put the knowledge gained into practice in two training sessions with children from the Liesen-Metten special needs school from the Mainz area.
The participants then received individual feedback from mentors. Joint targets were formulated for future use. The new Young Coaches return to their clubs and inclusive teams with great motivation to apply what the knowledge they have acquired with gusto.
The Bayer 04 instructors also looked back at the training with great enthusiasm. Elizabeth Brauer: "We've been able to get to know lots of really great people who are passionate about disabled football. It was a relatively heterogenic group with lots of different experiences and perspectives, which is very exciting."
Tim Müller, also a Leverkusen instructor, recalled the different elements of the training: "One highlight came when all the tension of our participants was turned into joy on the pitch. It was incredible to see those joyous faces who were having great fun and just doing it. Everything done here is worthwhile when you see that passion is inspired and that people are keen to bring that onto the pitch."

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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more