Bayer Leverkusen did the unthinkable in 2023/24. They not only stopped Bayern Munich from winning the Bundesliga but also went the season unbeaten in the league to secure their maiden Meisterschale. On top of that, Xabi Alonso’s side added the DFB Pokal title to their trophy cabinet.
But things began to change, especially after the Spaniard’s departure in 2025. With key players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Granit Xhaka leaving, the team slowly fell apart.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Erik ten Hag, who arrived at the club in the summer of 2025 and was only in charge for three games, revealed that players wanted to leave. “It’s a very strange story,” he says. “They ended an era with Alonso, so all the players wanted to go. We fought for some, and they were not committed anymore. So it was waiting until September 1. The good players signed in the last couple of days. I never worked with them. Three games, and then we parted ways.”
Leverkusen tried to replace the title-winning squad, but they weren’t able to achieve their goals in the 2025/26 season. The team finished sixth in the league under Kasper Hjulmand, who replaced Ten Hag. Failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League cost the Dane his job.
Carles Martinez was then appointed as head coach in June. Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes stated: “Carles Martinez has successfully developed numerous young players at Toulouse and moulded an international team into a strong unit.”
Rolfes added: “In addition to this valuable experience, he brings a high level of expertise from his time at the Barcelona youth academy to Leverkusen. Carles is a coach with clear principles and a modern approach to the game. We are convinced he can provide the right impetus for our sporting future.”
Bayer Leverkusen’s upward trajectory
The start of this season wasn’t ideal for the new coach as his team fell to a 3-2 opening day loss to newly promoted Elversberg. The alarm bells started to ring very quickly; however, in time the team managed to adapt to the coach’s demands. That loss is the only one they have suffered this season. Leverkusen have since managed to remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga and have maintained a 100 percent record in the Europa League – winning seven, and drawing one.
In this run of wins, two players have stood out for Die Werkself. Patrik Schick has shrugged off his injury woes of the past to score six goals and provide two assists in six Bundesliga games this season. He also has two further goals in three Europa League games.
Algerian talent Ibrahim Maza is also turning heads due to his brilliant display and output. The 20-year-old has two goals and two assists to his name in the league and has generally impressed with his skills. On comparisons to Florian Wirtz, Maza told the Bundesliga official website: “Flo is an incredible player, a real Bayer Leverkusen legend. I am still trying to follow my own path and be my own player. I think we are a little different in terms of our playing styles, but of course, it is nice to be able to follow in the footsteps of such a great player. I hope that one day I can play at his level and achieve that.”
As Leverkusen eye a return to Europe’s elite competition, they seem to be on the right path. The team might not be able to replicate the record-breaking season from 2023/24, but recent results indicate that Leverkusen are on the right path after a season of chaos and uncertainty.
