"The U19s are of central importance for us in the transition from junior football to the first team squad. That's why we looked for a coach who has demonstrated his quality in both areas. In addition, he should share our approach to football: We want to play active and attractive football with our teams. Sven Hübscher meets all these requirements," explained Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes.
For Thomas Eichin, director of the youth section, the coach perfectly meets the job requirements. "At Schalke, he worked with the top coach Norbert Elgert and he was very successful with the teams he trained and he helped a lot of highly talented youngsters to gain a foothold in professional football. Beyond that, he's ambitious and a proven team player. We're convinced the U19s are in very good hands with him."
Following an ankle injury, Sven Hübscher started his career as a coach at an early age. When he was 20, he worked as a youth coach with DSC Wanne-Eickel and there he came to the attention of the management at Schalke 04. He joined the Royal Blues in 2000 where he was head and assistant coach with various youth teams. In 2013, he moved up to the first team with head coach Jens Keller and then supported Roberto di Matteo and André Breitenreiter as assistant coach. In July 2017, he moved on to Werder Bremen where he initially looked after the U17s and then the U23s. He was brought in as head coach at Preußen Münster in 2019/20 but his job with the third division club ended after six months.
"The challenge at Bayer 04 really appeals to me. For two decades, a large number of talented youngsters have been brought through to professional football at this Performance Centre," said Sven Hübscher. "I want to play my part in continuing that in the future."
Sven Hübscher will have the support of Slawomir Czarniecki. The 41-year-old started at Bayer 04 and 2000 as a youth coach and currently is the head of first team and youth coordination. The agreement initially runs to the summer of 2021.
A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.
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The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.
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Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.
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For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.
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European football returns to the BayArena: Bayer 04 host Slovenian champions NK Celje on matchday 1 in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. Ahead of the match on Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez and midfielder Aleix Garcia spoke at the pre-match press conference. The focus was primarily on the great anticipation surrounding the competition and the clear objectives for it – and, given the circumstances, on a last-minute change to the opposition line-up.
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