
Martin Terrier on...
…his first impressions: "I've been very impressed from day one by the level in training, the infrastructure and the processes. Some of my team-mates speak French, which has made it even easier for me. And obviously Jeanuël [Belocian] explained a few things to me. The English messages on the pitch are no problem for me either, and I'm going to start learning German straight after the training camp."
…his decision to join Bayer 04: "I wanted to try something new after all the years in France. A new league, new surroundings, a new culture. And then the option of Leverkusen was just a perfect fit. It was a very easy decision for me."







…the competition for places in attack: "I don't think much about that. The coaching staff know exactly which players are needed in which position. They proved that in impressive fashion last season. There's also the fact that I'm very versatile. I'll wait for my chance. The season is long, we're playing in multiple competitions, so every individual will have an important role. That was also the case last season, when the substitutes were often the match-winners."
…his target for the new season: "It's a great honour to play for the double winners from Germany. I want to be similarly successful with the team - in all competitions. Personally I want to contribute my experience, integrate in the team as quickly as possible and obviously contribute to success with goals but also with defensive work."
…the attention on Bayer 04 in France: "In France, too, everyone noticed what was achieved here in Leverkusen on and off the pitch last season. The many late goals particularly impressed me and show the incredible determination and togetherness, as well as the hunger for success in this team. The unbeaten run was extraordinary in modern football. Every team and every player is thoroughly analysed nowadays, there are no weak teams anymore, which makes it even more remarkable that the team went so long without defeat."

…his darts goal celebration: "I used to watch and play darts a lot with a friend from my youth. One day when I scored a goal for Rennes, the idea suddenly came to me to celebrate with this pose. The people clearly liked it and then I just carried it on. Unfortunately I've not been able to play since my move because my darts stuff is still in France, but my team-mates have already said they'll bring a dartboard to the training camp (laughs)."

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have appointed Carles Martínez Novell as the new head coach. The 42-year-old Spaniard worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. Martínez finished last term in ninth place with the club from the south of France. He will take over the Werkself on 1 July 2026 and has signed a contract to 30 June 2028. Martínez, whose contract with Toulouse expires at the end of the month, succeeds Kasper Hjulmand at Leverkusen, who is leaving the club after one season.
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Welcome to Leverkusen, Carles Martínez Novell. Bayer 04 have appointed the 42-year-old Spaniard as the new head coach on a contract to 2028. Martínez most recently worked for FC Toulouse in the French Ligue 1 until the end of the season. He previously spent four years at Barcelona's legendary academy La Masia in his home city. Bayer04.de introduces Martínez in more detail.
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Bayer 04 plans for the 2026/27 pre-season continue to take shape. The Werkself will kick off the new season in mid-July with the return to the training ground. The highlight will be the official season opener on 8 August at the BayArena, including a friendly against La Liga club Sevilla. Friendlies in Germany will take the team to neighbouring Monheim, Offenbach and Jena.
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Strengthening the Bayer 04 Leverkusen youth teams: Konstantinos Kotsifakis will join the Werkself from Bundesliga 2 club Hertha Berlin for the 2026/27 season, where he will be a permanent member of the Leverkusen U19 coaching set-up. The German-Greek will also take on an operational role in coaching the Bayer 04 Future Team. The 29-year-old was most recently head coach of the U17s at Hertha Berlin.
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Another award for the Bayer 04 head groundsman and staff: After coming top in the 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons, the BayArena pitch came second in the Bundesliga Pitch of the Year ranking for the 2025/26 season. VfL Wolfsburg secured the top spot this year, with TSG Hoffenheim in third place.
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