After a summer of transfer rumors and a lost captaincy, the veteran midfielder is finally winning over his new coach to reclaim a role in Leverkusen’s evolution.
The midfielder entered the new season facing serious questions over his future, his role and even his place within the club's leadership structure. Under new head coach Carles Martínez, Andrich was initially told that he would have to accept a supporting role, while Edmond Tapsoba eventually took over the captaincy.
A transfer was therefore a realistic possibility.
Now, the picture is beginning to change.
Andrich made his first start of the season in Leverkusen's 2-0 Europa League victory over NK Celje on Wednesday, with Martínez making six changes to the side that had drawn 2-2 with Augsburg. The 31-year-old took his opportunity, playing the full match as Die Werkself opened their European campaign with a victory.
More importantly, however, the game offered a glimpse of a relationship that appears to be developing in a different direction.
As reported by Kicker, Andrich spoke openly after the match about his difficult summer and his relationship with Martínez. The midfielder described their relationship with a simple but revealing phrase: "Wir werden wärmer", essentially meaning that they are "getting warmer."
That is a significant change from where things stood only weeks ago.
Martínez had previously made it clear that Andrich was not initially central to his plans. The midfielder was told that his chances of playing regularly would be limited, while Leverkusen were also open to the possibility of him leaving. Clubs including RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt had shown interest in the experienced midfielder.
Yet Andrich stayed.
And with Exequiel Palacios leaving the club and other midfield options facing their own issues, the situation has gradually evolved. Andrich has continued working in training and eventually received his first start of the season against Celje.
The player himself understands that one start does not change everything.
He knows he has to earn Martínez's trust rather than expect it. That makes his comments particularly interesting. There is no suggestion that Andrich believes he has suddenly secured a starting position. Instead, he appears focused on proving that he can still contribute to the new Leverkusen project.
That attitude could be important for both sides.
Andrich has been at Die Werkself since 2021 and was a key part of the team that won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2023/24. He also became an important figure for Germany under Julian Nagelsmann, particularly during Euro 2024.
His role has since changed dramatically.
Under Martínez, Leverkusen are beginning a new tactical cycle, and Andrich has had to adapt to a different hierarchy and different expectations. The midfielder's versatility could nevertheless give the coach another option, particularly given his experience and ability to operate both in midfield and deeper positions.
The Celje game also showed that Martínez is willing to rotate his squad. Whether Andrich can turn that opportunity into a regular role remains to be seen.
For now, though, the situation is clearly different from the one Andrich faced at the beginning of the summer.
The transfer talk has gone quiet. He is back in the starting XI. And, according to him, the relationship with his new coach is getting warmer.
