For the thirteenth time in succession, Bayer 04 joined with Salzburger Land/Zell am See-Kaprun, a partner in the sponsors club, in organising the charity event. In addition to honorary captain Stefan Kießling, numerous representatives of Werkself partners had golf clubs in their hands including from main sponsor Barmenia and kit supplier Jako. Steffi Nerius, javelin World Champion in 2009 and today head of the Leverkusen Sports College, also took part in the event.
An impressive sum of €6,850 was raised this year primarily from the entry fees paid by the participants. Manuel Bast, director of the Leverkusen community foundation, accepted the cheque from Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes and Meinolf Sprink, director of fans/community at the Werkself. Rolfes and Werkself head coach Gerardo Seoane joined the group in the evening.
Dr. Bernd Schröder, director of marketing and sales at Bayer 04, judged the thirteenth charity golf tournament to be a success: "This event is now an established institution at Bayer 04. Many thanks to Salzburger Land/Zell am See-Kaprun who rounded off the day with Austrian specialities and music as they do every year. We would also like to thank all the golfers who raised a great contribution with their entry fees to support the Leverkusen community foundation."
Standing on the pitch where the Werkself players perform - for many Bayer 04 club members, this wish became reality at this year's Members' kickabout. Around 400 active participants of all ages took the opportunity to experience the BayArena from a new and special perspective. And there was also plenty going on in the stands: The event attracted more than 1,000 visitors in total and provided an atmospheric end to the season.
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Lying third in the Bundesliga, the Werkself made a faltering start in 2026 after the winter break, but gradually rediscovered winning ways and, as in the previous campaign, were among the top 16 in Europe and the top four in the DFB Pokal. In the Bundesliga, the Werkself also remained in the race for Champions League qualification right to the end. However, because setbacks repeatedly crept into the Werkself's performances between good displays and crucial games, it was not quite enough to secure a UCL spot in the end. A season with many ups and downs brought sixth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League. Part II of the review of the 2025/26 season.
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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.
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Following the final match of the 2025/26 season, the prevailing feeling was naturally one of disappointment after missing out on qualification for the Champions League. The Werkself finished the Bundesliga in sixth place, meaning they'll start the 2026/27 campaign in the Europa League. "But to talk negatively about everything now because of that would be wrong," stressed captain Robert Andrich following the final game, knowing that the past year at Bayer 04 was marked, more than almost any other, by the start of a new era and the courage to change – and in particular, the belief in a positive direction. Everyone was aware this process would need time. The first part of the 2025/26 season review.
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