“The campaign for the early detection of prostate cancer has been very clearly and positively recognised by Bayer 04 fans. The current euphoria surrounding the club has certainly also helped to generate an appealing donation sum for PalliLev, with which we have been closely associated for years,” said Meinolf Sprink, Director of Fans/Community at Bayer 04, during the presentation of the donation cheque to the Klinikum Leverkusen.
Five of the six signed jerseys were auctioned off online, while another was auctioned off directly at Klinikum Leverkusen as part of a specially organised campaign. The money raised will be used to raise awareness of the need for early detection of prostate cancer.
Photo (l-r.): Dr Mathias Roßberg (Head of the Oncology Business Unit, Bayer Vital), Prof. Utz Krug (Director of the Oncology Centre, Leverkusen Hospital), Dr Daniel Porres (Director of the Urology Clinic, Klinikum Leverkusen) and Meinolf Sprink (Director of Fans/Social Affairs, Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
About #stellkrebsvomplatz:
The #stellkrebsvomplatz campaign sends out an important message in the fight against prostate cancer. With around 60,000 new cases per year in Germany, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Early detection of prostate cancer offers the opportunity to diagnose the disease at an early, often easily treatable stage. Further information on prostate cancer and screening can be found at stellkrebsvomplatz.de.
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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