“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.”
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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