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
Sustainability - 30.06.2026
For a good cause: Blau-Gelbe Kreuz collects BayArena seating
The sustainable use of the BayArena seats removed as part of the current stadium upgrade has taken on a new dimension: Following on from numerous Bayer 04 fans receiving their ‘Undefeated Champions seats’ and various clubs and community organisations from Leverkusen and the wider region having collected the dismantled seats, Blau-Gelbe Kreuz e.V. also made their way to the BayArena recently. The German-Ukrainian aid organisation took away around 2,100 seats; in Ukraine, these will be used to upgrade the sports infrastructure of two clubs.
Show more
Youth - 28.06.2026
From Bayer 04 to FC Utrecht: Chigozie Owen moves to the Eredivisie
Bayer 04 have transferred U19 midfielder Emmanuel Chigozie Owen to FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie.
Show more
Women - 26.06.2026
Bayer 04 Women sign Justine Brandau from Feyenoord
Bayer 04 Women have further bolstered their squad for the upcoming Google Pixel Bundesliga season with the signing of Justine Brandau from Feyenoord. The 23-year-old Dutch left-back has joined on a deal through to 30 June 2028.
Show more
Bayer 04 - 25.06.2026
Pro contract until 2031: U19 international Montrell Culbreath signs new deal with Bayer 04
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended youngster Montrell Culbreath's contract once again. Having only signed a deal with the Bundesliga club until 30 June 2030 in January, still as an U19 player, the attacking midfielder, who's since established himself in the first-team squad, has penned a new contract valid until 30 June 2031. Culbreath joined the Werkself academy in 2023 and made 16 first-team appearances in the 2025/26 season in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League, scoring one goal.
Show more
