“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.”
Bayer 04 turned in a dominant performance in a 7-0 win against fifth-tier side Sportfreunde Baumberg in their first friendly ahead of the 2026/27 season. A brace from debutant Afonso Moreira (19', 27') either side of a Christian Kofane strike (23') put the Werkself 3-0 up in the first of the two 35-minute halves in Monheim am Rhein. After the break, Victor Boniface (49', 53'), Robert Andrich (56') and Nathan Tella (67') scored for the completely changed Leverkusen team. It was therefore a successful friendly debut for new head coach Carles Martínez and his team, although the hosts also had something to celebrate despite the defeat: the match marked the inauguration of Baumberg's new ground, the MEGA Stadion.
Show more
Attention, Werkself fans: the new Away Matchday Collection is now available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the Fanwelt. It includes t-shirts, zip tops and jackets.
Show more
Season tickets for the Werkself home matches in the new Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga season are now on general sale. The season ticket is valid for all 13 matches at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The first home match will be played between 28 and 31 August against the runners-up, VfL Wolfsburg, followed by the clash with the German champions, Bayern Munich, between 11 and 14 September.
Show more
A new team, a new environment, a new challenge—and yet one thing remains the same for Afonso Moreira: his attitude. Total dedication, discipline, and the drive to improve every day have defined the Portuguese player since his early days at Sporting CP. “Even back then, I realized I had to work hard to achieve my goals,” said the 21-year-old. His parents also instilled those values in him from a young age. Values that have driven him ever since, accompanied him to France when he signed for Lyon, and now also form the foundation for his new chapter at Bayer 04. At a media session, the lightning-fast winger spoke about his values, as well as his new teammates, the new coach, and his targets at the club.
Show more
