“Friederike has impressed us with her strength in communicating with the players. She will act as a good link between the coach and the team,” said Achim Feifel, Bayer 04 Women’s team sporting director: “Her experience with the eldest youth players at a very good level demonstrates her assertiveness and clear direction.”
The incoming first team coach arrives as successor to the Dutch coach Jessie van den Broek, whose contract finished at the end of last season. Mehring has worked for the last four years with different age groups at the North East Regional League club SV Babelsberg 03 and was U19 assistant coach last term.
Between 2010 and 2013, the former Germany U16 international played for the second team at FFC Turbine Potsdam in the Bundesliga North 2 where she won the league title in 2011/2012 and was also in the first team squad. She ended her playing career with four years as the goalkeeper at the Hofstra University in New York where she also gained her Bachelor degree in International Business.
“Friederike completely impressed us in our discussions both from a sporting and personal perspective. She has a wealth of experience and, like me, places great value on the continuing development of young players,” said Pätzold: “At the same time, she is a confident personality with clear values.”
“In getting to know the management here I immediately felt a very positive personal connection,” said Mehring: “I’m looking forward to the first block of the preseason full of anticipation and commitment to be able make the most of the top facilities and the professional framework for the development of the young players.”
The European jersey has been launched, the UEL opponents have been drawn – and anticipation for the European campaign is running high. To mark the occasion, an autograph session was held on Friday afternoon, 28 August, at the Fanwelt with current Werkself player Montrell Culbreath and official club legend Paulo Sergio.
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On Friday afternoon, it will be decided which eight of the 36 participating teams Bayer 04 will face in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2026/27. At the draw in Monaco (live on UEFA.com), the Werkself will be drawn against two teams from each of the four pots, allocated according to the UEFA club coefficient. A match against an opponent from the same country is ruled out, as is facing more than two clubs from the same national association. Here’s a look at the pots and potential opponents.
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After six and a half years, Exequiel Palacios is leaving the Bundesliga and moving from Bayer 04 to the Premier League. The Argentine, who as a Werkself player won the World Cup with his national team four years ago and finished as runners-up at this summer’s tournament, will play for newly promoted English side Ipswich Town with immediate effect. The 27-year-old, whose contract in Leverkusen was due to run until 30 June 2030, joined Bayer 04 in January 2020 as a promising young talent. He steadily developed into one of the best defensive midfielders in the German top flight.
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When Exequiel Palacios moved from the Argentinian club River Plate to Bayer Leverkusen on 1 January 2020, the then 21-year-old could not have imagined just how successful the next six and a half years would be for him. Pala, as he is known, had already won the Copa Libertadores – the most prestigious competition in South American club football – with River Plate. But there were still so many more trophies to come.
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