Youth: Coaching structure for 2025/26
The head coaches of the U16 to U19 youth teams at Bayer 04 welcome some new faces to the coaching staff for the 2025/26 campaign. Overview of new set-up.
U19 head coach Sergi Runge can continue to rely on the services of Gilbert Gorges as his assistant coach. The position of goalkeeping coach goes to Marco Kostmann following the departure of Sören Rittmeier to second division club FC Kaiserslautern. The 59-year-old previously worked for Arminia Bielefeld and most recently with the Bundesliga team at FC Augsburg. Also new to the U19 coaching staff is the Spanish fitness coach Oscar Balaguer Cabeza who joins Bayer 04 from the top flight in Malaysia.
The U19s are currently training at the BayArena. There will be another break of two weeks at the start of July before the league campaign run-in launches on 21 July ahead of the start at the beginning of August.
U19 goalkeeping coach Marco Kostmann
Brok and Adam with new assistant coaches
U17 head coach Kevin Brok continues in his role along with two new assistant coaches Adrian Grümer (previously U19) and Albert Bunjaku (previously U16). Johann Rieckhof continues as the goalkeeping coach.
U16 head coach Benjamin Adam welcomes Sören Schuschke to his coaching staff for the new season with the new assistant coach coming to the club from the youth teams at FC Viktoria Köln. Damir Ivosevic remains in post as the goalkeeping coach.
YOUTH COACHES SET-UP FOR 2025/26
U19
Sergi Runge (head coach)
Gilbert Gorges (assistant coach)
Marco Kostmann (goalkeeping coach)
Vicente Morales (fitness coach)
Oscar Balaguer Cabeza (fitness coach)
Dr. Daniel Lay (team doctor)
Tobias Häusler (physiotherapist)
Manuel Schardt (physiotherapist)
Timo Heinze (sports psychologist)
Marcel Podszus (team manager)
U17
Kevin Brok (head coach)
Adrian Grümer (assistant coach)
Albert Bunjaku (assistant coach)
Johann Rieckhof (goalkeeping coach)
Daniel Adam (fitness coach)
Benjamin Balzien (team doctor)
Yannik Dielkus (physiotherapist)
Justin Glitt (physiotherapist)
Noël Kunz (sports psychologist)
Wolfgang Esins (team support)
Jonas Knappe (team support)
U16
Benjamin Adam (head coach)
Sören Schuschke (assistant coach)
Damir Ivosevic (goalkeeping coach)
Philipp Kulier (fitness coach)
Thomas Huber (video analyst/team support)
Dr. Daniel Lay (team doctor)
King-Midas Ntem (physiotherapist)
Timo Heinze (sports psychologist)
Related News
Women - 21.09.2025
Bayer 04 Women win at Nürnberg thanks to Bender's stoppage-time strike
Late celebrations in Nuremberg: thanks to a last-minute goal from Loreen Bender, Bayer 04 Women made it two wins out of three matches in the Bundesliga. Coach Roberto Pätzold's side deservedly won 1-0 away to promoted team 1. FC Nürnberg on Sunday afternoon. Substitute Bender sealed back-to-back wins with her strike in the third minute of added time in her first appearance of the campaign.
Show more
Werkself-TV - 21.09.2025
Women: TV-highlights of 1-0 win at 1. FC Nürnberg
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-0 win at 1. FC Nürnberg on the 3rd matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.
Show more
Bundesliga - 21.09.2025
Matchday News #B04BMG: Good record against 'unpredictable' Foals
In their second Bundesliga game under Kasper Hjulmand, Bayer 04 face a tricky task at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday 21 September (kick-off 17:30 CEST). The Foals may have endured a poor start to the season, but after Eugen Polanski took over from Gerardo Seoane at the start of the week, the opponents "are a bit unpredictable", according to Hjulmand. The Matchday News has everything you need to know ahead of the meeting at the BayArena.
Show more
Bundesliga - 20.09.2025
Our next opponents: Change of coach should provide fresh start
Borussia Mönchengladbach are currently experiencing turbulent days. After ten games without a win over the course of this and last season plus five games in a row without scoring a goal, the club parted company with head coach Gerardo Seoane last Monday. On Sunday, 21 September (kick-off: 17:30 CEST/live on DAZN and Werkself Radio), Borussia will be coached by former U23 coach Eugen Polanski in the clash with the Werkself - and the Foals will be looking to turn things around at the BayArena. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Women - 20.09.2025
'Keep the ball and opponents moving': Women away to newly promoted FC Nürnberg
Six days after their first win of the season, the Bayer 04 Women once again face a Bundesliga newcomer. The 3-2 win against Union Berlin should be followed by another three points at FC Nürnberg on Sunday, 21 September (kick-off: 16:00 CEST/live on MagentaSport and DAZN). Coach Roberto Pätzold is aware of his team's role as favourites on matchday 3 and he also has to compensate for the absence of his top striker from last season.
Show more
