
In the former company premises of the banana ripening facility of Walter Pott GmbH in Leverkusen-Opladen the volunteers packed 1,888 organic lunchboxes for schoolchildren in the region. The lunchboxes were then delivered to primary and special needs schools in Leverkusen. Each box contained two slices of bread, cheese spread, a muesli bar, a packet of cress, a little packet of organic tea as well as a wooden knife.




Player Lilla Turányi was enthusiastic about the project after completing her work: "It was great fun to experience something different away from the everyday of football. I think we've given the children a big treat. I'm always happy when we can do something for a good cause as part of the Bayer 04 Women's team." And also for Stefan 'Kies' Kießling the event was a complete success from the perspective of a loyal helper of many years: "I've been helping out with the packing event for the organic lunchboxes for several years and I was hard at it packing when I was still playing. I'm happy to be here year after year to do something good for the schoolchildren in Leverkusen."

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