The Werkself – our team | Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Werkself

Coaches/staff

Coaches

Sergi Runge

Assistant Coach

Assistant coach analysis

Simon Lackmann

First-team analyst

Dr. Malte Krüger

Head of sports science and fitness

Prisca Volmary

Sports scientist

Staff

Hans-Peter Lehnhoff

Team liaison manager

Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar

Head team doctor

Dr. Philipp Ehrenstein

Team doctor

Dr. Stefan Porten

Team doctor

Sven Elsinger

Head of physiotherapy and rehabilitation

Ill-Han Yu

Head physiotherapist

Florian Kroder

Physiotherapist

Jonas Schmitt

Physiotherapist

David Jann

Physiotherapist

Stephan Hartner

Physiotherapist

Christian Beckers

Head of support staff

Martin Kowatzki

Support staff

Markus Irmer

Support staff

Lena Kadlec

Sports Nutritionist (External)

Werkstatt

Carsten Rademacher

Head of department

Hans-Jörg Schneider

Physiotherapist

Gregor Stumpf

Rehabilitation trainer

Florian Cordes

Physiotherapist

Vladislav Kats

Rehabilitation trainer

Philipp Karcher

Physiotherapist/ Rehabilitation trainer

Ahura Bassimtabar

Physiotherapist

Tim Hielscher

Physiotherapist, Osteopath and Sports Scientist

Nematollah Beigizadeh

Physiotherapist

Sabine Christmann-Schaaf

Administrative management and medical assistant

News

Battling Werkself impresses against Arsenal | Round of 16 UCL

Werkself-TV - 11.03.2026

TV highlights of the 1-1 draw against Arsenal

Werkself TV shows highlights of the 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league...

Champions League - 11.03.2026

Battling Werkself impress in 1-1 draw with Arsenal

Bayer 04 were on the brink of victory against Arsenal in the first leg of the Round of 16 tie in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, but conceded a late goal to make the final score 1-1. After an even first half, Robert Andrich gave Leverkusen the lead with a header on 46 minutes. The Werkself then defended with discipline and gave little away until just before the end when the Gunners equalised with Kai Havertz converting a penalty (89').

Champions League - 11.03.2026

Matchday news #B04ARS: Double reunion in Round of 16 first leg against flawless Gunners

Arsenal, one of the favourites in the UCL, visit the BayArena for the first leg in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16. Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie, two long-serving Bayer 04 players, are set to return to the BayArena for the first time since leaving the club. As part of the match against the Gunners, fans can look forward to exciting Sound of Dreams festival activities at the stadium. Club members can also secure another SoD Unplugged ticket for a chance to win a special prize. Today’s matchday news.

Die PK mit Hjulmand und Kofane vor dem Achtelfinal-Hinspiel gegen Arsenal | Achtelfinale UCL

Werkself-TV - 10.03.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04ARS: Full of anticipation for ‘one of the most difficult challenges’

A Champions League showdown at the BayArena awaits. On Wednesday night, 11 March (kick-off: 18:45 CET), the Werkself face Arsenal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Ahead of the clash with the Premier League leaders, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the Gunners' exceptional strength at set-pieces, a returning striker and "believing in yourself". Forward Christian Kofane also spoke about the approach to the Round of 16 tie and congratulated his personal idol - whose previous success also motivates him for forthcoming challenges.

Champions League - 10.03.2026

Our next opponents: The Gunners can make history

There is no question Arsenal are one of the top favourites to win the UEFA Champions League. Spanish coach Mikel Arteta's team won all of their matches in the league phase of the competition. On Wednesday night, 11 March (kick-off: 18:45 CET), the Gunners, who also lead the Premier League, will play the first leg in the UCL Round of 16 at the BayArena. Two former Leverkusen players are particularly looking forward to the clash at their old stomping ground. The lowdown on our next opponents.

News centre

Videos

Werkself-TV - 11.03.2026

TV highlights of the 1-1 draw against Arsenal

Werkself TV shows highlights of the 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league...

Werkself-TV - 10.03.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04ARS: Full of anticipation for ‘one of the most difficult challenges’

Werkself play out thrilling 3-3 draw in Freiburg | 25th matchday

Werkself-TV - 07.03.2026

TV highlights of 3-3 draw at SC Freiburg

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 3-3 draw at SC Freiburg on Matchday 25 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Re-LIVE | Die PK vor dem Auswärtsspiel beim SC Freiburg | 25. Spieltag

Werkself-TV - 06.03.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #SCFB04: ‘We are only focussed on this game and the opponent’

A boost for the second Bundesliga away game in a row: The Werkself take on SC Freiburg just three days after the convincing 1-0 win at Hamburger SV. Ahead of the game on Saturday, 7 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET), head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the lessons learned from the rearranged fixture at HSV, a trio on yellow cards and young players like Christian Kofane and Montrell Culbreath.