
“It’s a great evaluation of our work,” said Thomas Eichin, youth director at Bayer 04, in assessing the report from Audit Company DQS. “It demonstrates that the members of staff and colleagues have got a lot right at Kurtekotten in the past.”
Bayer 04 are particularly proud of the concept of the host family in the area of child protection. The club from Leverkusen were the first and, to this day, are the only Bundesliga side to rely solely on this form of accommodation. “This individual care is something very special and, in our opinion, very important for the development of young players who are sometimes a long, long way from home,” said Frank Ditgens, head of education at Bayer 04.
The Audit Company DQS specialises in audits and the certification of management systems and processes. In addition to the refurbishment of the bistro at Kurtekotten in Black and Red and new additions to the clubhouse, special attention was paid to the cooperation between the host families, the parents and Bayer 04. The focus was on the appreciation and transparency of the parties with constant attention to the protection and personal development of the young players who are trained and educated at Kurtekotten.
“We work out individual plans with each player for their playing and personal development here with us. Our educational team have also created structures over the years for youth players from abroad to enable maximum integration. It’s very well-conceived and substantial,” explained Eichin.
Ditgens is also proud of the certificate and the performance of the club: “The consistently top ratings and the results clearly reflect our holistic education system as well as our individual accommodation of our youth players with host families.”
The assessment of the academy was made online via video chat due to the coronavirus pandemic.


With sixth place at the end of the 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign, Bayer 04 ended a season in the top third of the table for the ninth time in a row. While the Werkself were narrowly eliminated in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by eventual finalists Arsenal, the Black and Reds reached the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal for the third season in succession. As in previous years, you once again have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app up to and including 11 June.
Show more
With 46 points in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga, the Bayer 04 Women’s team once again broke the previous season's club record and ended up in fifth place - 15 wins is also a record. As in previous years, you now have the opportunity to vote for your Player of the Season. Voting is open exclusively to Bayer 04 Club members and only via the Bayer 04 app by 11 June.
Show more
The guests at the Scala Club in Leverkusen were amazed when host Reiner Calmund suddenly brought the Managing Director of Sport at Bayer 04, Simon Rolfes, and record Werkself appearance maker Rüdiger Vollborn onto the stage. As part of the show "An Evening with Football & Friends", organised by long-serving Bayer 04 managing director and general manager Calmund, the two surprise guests drew plenty of applause - and provided great entertainment in exciting conversations about the past and future.
Show more
Rogier Meijer is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and returning to his native Netherlands: The 44-year-old will take over at Eredivisie club Sparta Rotterdam on 1 July. Meijer has been part of the Werkself coaching set-up since the start of the 2025/26 season - first as assistant coach to Erik ten Hag, then on Kasper Hjulmand's staff.
Show more