Carles Martínez – Head coach
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)
Calres Martínez News
Martínez ahead of the clash with league leaders FCA: ‘We need to be focused and give it our all’
The Werkself are away to FC Augsburg on matchday 3 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season. The game at the WWK Arena against the current – and for the first time – league leaders of the German top flight is on Saturday 12 September at 15:30 CEST. Ahead of the match, head coach Carles Martínez spoke about this week’s training and the team’s approach to the fixture, as they face an opponent brimming with confidence. The Spaniard also addressed a number of squad matters.
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Carles Martínez ahead of Union Berlin: ‘Want to play with passion, mentality and win’
The Bundesliga returns to the BayArena for 2026/27 as Bayer 04 host Union Berlin on Saturday (15:30 CEST) looking for their first points of the season after last week’s opening loss at Elversberg. Head coach Carles Martínez spoke ahead of the game about what he’s learned, the team’s newest signings and who could return to the squad.
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Martínez ahead of league opener: ‘I want to see energy and passion’
The Bundesliga is back. On Saturday 29 August (kick-off: 15:30 CEST), the Werkself are away to SV 07 Elversberg on matchday 1 of the new season. Ahead of the clash at the URSAPHARM Arena on Kaiserlinde, head coach Carles Martínez spoke, amongst other things, about the importance of a successful start and the motivation of the league newcomers from the Saarland.
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Martínez ahead of DFB Pokal tie : ‘What we all love most about football’ – Tapsoba named captain
Bayer 04 start the 2026/27 season away to third-division side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Ahead of the DFB Pokal tie on Saturday 22 August (kick-off: 13:00 CEST), head coach Carles Martínez spoke at the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. The topics: anticipation, passion, the fans’ support – and the captaincy for the new season.
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Martínez's pre-season review after win at Newcastle
After the 2-1 win in the final 2026/27 pre-season friendly at Newcastle United, head coach Carles Martínez shared his thoughts with Werkself-TV...
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