Mark Flekken is determined to show the consistency Bayer Leverkusen expected from him. The goalkeeper spoke openly about his mistakes last season and his aims for the future during the training camp near Weimar.
Flekken admitted his performances in the 2025/26 season were too inconsistent. The whistles from his own fans after errors, like in the 2-7 Champions League defeat to Paris or the 6-3 win over Wolfsburg, stuck with him. "I have shaken off the whistles. Otherwise, I couldn't have played the last four games of the season the way I did," said the 33-year-old. Criticism focused on his uncertainty coming off his line and his risky play with the ball at his feet.
The club's decision-makers sought the consistency he showed at Brentford when they signed him. He missed that target last year. "There were games where I dropped points for the team and games where I saved points," Flekken analysed self-critically. His focus is now entirely on the fresh start. The current squad list on our squad page shows who he's competing with for the goalkeeper spot.
Bayer 04 have a new head coach in Carles Martínez. Flekken, who only returned to training a week and a half ago after extra leave, already senses a clear difference. "There's a completely different energy in the squad," the keeper explained. This energy also comes from the coaching staff. Martínez is very present, pushes the team, and lives out what he wants to see on the pitch himself.
At the same time, Flekken defended his predecessor Kasper Hjulmand. He came into a difficult situation where the team wasn't functioning and he started without his own assistant coach. Also, that phase had almost only matches and little training. Martínez's advantage now is that he has time to build something. Flekken firmly expects to help in this process as the number one. He has received no other signals from Martínez or goalkeeper coach David Thiel.
In March 2026, Flekken suffered a medial collateral ligament injury in his right knee. His competitor Janis Blaswich took this chance and delivered good performances. After Flekken's return, the decision still narrowly went in favour of the Dutchman. "I acknowledge that Janis played well in the phase when I was injured," Flekken said. If the coach had kept Blaswich in goal then, he would have deserved it. However, the coach stuck with him.
Flekken could take on even more responsibility in the coming season. Alongside captain Robert Andrich and deputy Edmond Tapsoba, he is considered a candidate for the role. "I haven't given it any thought at the moment," Flekken said. If the coach asked him, he wouldn't say no. Currently, he doesn't expect a change. He can show leadership qualities without the armband too. The next opportunity for that is on 13 September 2026 in the Bundesliga home game against VfB Stuttgart.
