As one of the first German clubs, Bayer 04 opened their Performance Centre at Kurtekotten presented by Barmenia in the direct vicinity of the Bayer Works in 2000. Three grass pitches and an artificial pitch plus additional training areas including a modern support facilities form the heart of this facility. Over the course of time two additional grass pitches were added at the Performance Centre and an artificial pitch at the BayArena. That offers the oldest age groups not just proximity to the first team but also the opportunity to use the facilities at the BayArena. The teams from the U8s to the U15s and the Women's team are based at Kurtekotten while the U16, U17 and U19 teams are at home at the BayArena.
Head of Performance Centre: Jefta Bresser
Head U16-U19: Slawomir Czarniecki
Head U8-U15: Jörg Bittner
Head of training academy: Keld Bordinggaard
Office manager: Roman Klossek
Assistant at Performance Centre office: Jennifer Weber
Youth media officer: Liam Schardt
Contact
Phone: +49 (0)214 - 5000 - 1904
Email: leistungszentrum@bayer04.de
Address
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Otto-Bayer-Straße 2
51061 Köln
Jefta Bresser
Date of birth: 02.02.1971
Place of birth: Wisch, Netherlands
The trained academy director and football coach took over as head of Leverkusen's performance centre in October 2023. He has thus filled the gap left in the summer by the transfer of former head of youth development Thomas Eichin to the role of director of licensing at Bayer 04.
Bresser came from Dutch second-division club De Graafschap, where he previously enjoyed five years of great success as head of the youth academy. Between 2005 and 2015, the 52-year-old was responsible for the individual development of youth players of all age groups at PSV Eindhoven, FC Fulham and Zenit St. Petersburg.
Our young players receive optimum support through targeted individual and team training as well as interesting comparative games. At the same time we obviously hope that our young players develop to the maximum in an environment tailored to them to help them develop their full potential and make the step up to our own first team.
The Coaching Academy is responsible for the continual development of style of play and the training methods of the club combined with the club philosophy, the development of the game and best practice.
Bayer 04 coaches have the opportunity to use the ideas from the Bayer 04 Coaching Academy for themselves and their development. Under the leadership of Keld Bordinggaard their knowledge and strengths can and should be continually developed.
Bayer 04 offer open trials days for outfield players and goalkeepers for all football enthusiastic lads in Leverkusen and surrounding areas. If you would like to test your ability under the eyes of youth coaches at Bayer 04 and have the dream of playing for one of the youth teams at the Werkself then you can register for the training sessions at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre presented by Barmenia.
International experience for the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women's team: The China international Shen Menglu has joined Bayer 04 from the Scottish champions Celtic on a free transfer. The 22-year-old has signed a contract to 30 June 2026.
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Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have handed academy product Ida Daedelow a professional contract. The 17-year-old central midfielder, who's been with the Werkself since 2019, has signed until 30 June 2025 and will be part of the squad for the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga from now on.
Show moreWhile Bayer 04 Women's pre-season is currently paused, the first youth teams have started training at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre. Two girls' teams also attended a cinema screening – the latest news from the women's department.
Show moreThe German Football Association (DFB) has published the fixture list for the 2024/25 season in the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga. The Bayer 04 Women have their first game away to SC Freiburg between 31 August and 2 September. The first home game on matchday two against Champions League qualifiers Eintracht Frankfurt will be played between 13 and 16 September. The season ends for the Black and Reds on 11 May with an away game at runners-up VfL Wolfsburg.
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