A total of 16 teams took part in this year's football tournament, including the inclusion teams from Bayer 04, TSV 1860 Munich and other well-known clubs. The ‘Simply Football’ Cup is organised every year by the works club - with the active support of many of the players' parents. Once again, the focus was on the participants having fun. Beaming faces could be seen everywhere in the Ostermann Arena. For six hours, the participants played against each other in front of an impressive and cheerful crowd. In addition to the fun had by the participants, the aim of the ‘Simply Football’ programme is the long-term participation of people with disabilities in club football and inclusion in organised sport.
Another highlight for many participants and spectators was the visit from Melissa Friedrich and Ida Daedelow. After a short discussion, the two Bayer 04 Women players signed numerous autographs and took time for lots of photos with their fans. "It's just nice to see that everyone is having fun. The result doesn't matter to the participants and they enjoy the moment," said centre-back Friedrich, summing up her impressions. Daedelow, 17, came to a similar conclusion: "The participants had a great day and a lot of fun. It's impressive how welcoming the people are. I would come here again and again and I think that everyone learnt a lot from each other." Brian the Lion also made an appearance at the autograph session and fulfilled the wishes of those in attendance.
Away from the pitch, there was also a shot power test and a scavenger hunt, where the participants enthusiastically and curiously tried to solve little puzzles. The proceeds from the sale of food and drinks throughout the event went to the Bayer 04 inclusion team.
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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