Bayer 04 has appointed the Spaniard Carles Martínez as its new head coach with effect from 1 July 2026, offering him a contract running until 30 June 2028. Prior to taking up his post in Leverkusen, Martínez was most recently in charge of FC Toulouse in France’s Ligue 1; before that, he had spent four years working at FC Barcelona’s legendary youth academy, La Masia, in his home town.
Date of birth: 18.05.1984
At club since: 07/2026
Previous coaching positions: EC Granollers youth (Spain), Espanyol Barcelona youth (Spain), FC Barcelona youth (Spain), Al Rayyan youth (Qatar), U20s national team Kuwait, FC Toulouse (France)
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Martínez ahead of #B04FCN: ‘Let’s achieve our goal together with the fans’
Back at home in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal, Bayer 04 host FC Nürnberg at the BayArena. The match against the current second-placed side in Bundesliga 2 is on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET. Ahead of the game, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about his anticipation of the clash in front of a home crowd. The Spaniard also commented on a number of personnel matters, including Ibrahim Maza and Montrell Culbreath, plus the visitors’ coach, Miroslav Klose.
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Martínez ahead of clash in Crete: Play our own game and pick up all three points
Brimming with confidence after five consecutive competitive wins, Bayer 04 face OFI Crete on Thursday evening, 22 October (kick-off: 19:45 local time, 18:45 CEST). Ahead of the UEFA Europa League clash on Greece’s largest island, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about the opposition and the late inclusion of Jonas Hofmann, whilst defender Jarell Quansah discussed the reasons behind the Werkself’s winning run.
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Martínez ahead of SC Freiburg: ‘We’re in a good place with our fans behind us’
Keep the momentum going against the current league leaders: On Sunday, 18 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself – unbeaten in their last six matches – host SC Freiburg at the BayArena. For their part, Freiburg have yet to lose a single game this season. Ahead of the clash with SCF, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about the team spirit within his squad and the strengths of the upcoming opponents. The Spaniard also commented on Martin Terrier and the attacking options available in the squad.
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Martínez ahead of Lech Poznan: ‘We want another three points’
Some 30 years on since their last European fixture in Poland, Bayer 04 cross the border for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash against Lech Poznan on Matchday 2 of the league phase on Thursday (kick-off: 18:45 CEST). Ahead of a first-ever meeting with Lech, head coach Carles Martínez and winger Nathan Tella spoke in Poznan about special memories and objectives.
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Martínez ahead of Mainz clash: ‘Competitive games are what we really like’
Back from the international break: On Saturday 10 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to Mainz 05. Ahead of the clash at the MEWA ARENA against the side currently sixth in the table, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the team’s work during the extended international break. The Spaniard also commented, when asked, on a number of squad matters, including Ibrahim Maza.
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