DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Three of Bayern Munich’s senior figures did something Sunday that no one at the club had done since 2012.
They congratulated another team on winning the Bundesliga.
President Herbert Hainer, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and sporting director Max Eberl each offered praise for new champion Bayer Leverkusen and coach Xabi Alonso — who Bayern had been keen to sign — and each vowed Bayern would fight to reclaim the trophy it held for 11 long years.
“The goal for FC Bayern now is: the trophy must come back to Munich!” Hainer wrote.
The question is how.
Bayern didn’t just lose the Bundesliga title to Leverkusen, it lost it by 16 points with five games to go. Bayern wrapped up the crown that early only three times in its 11-year reign. That means a comprehensive rebuild is looming.
Bayern’s 2023-24 season isn’t over yet, and coach Thomas Tuchel could yet salvage some pride in the Champions League before he leaves. It’s not impossible that Wednesday’s quarterfinal second leg against Arsenal, poised at 2-2, could be Bayern’s next step to the June 1 final and a first trophy for Harry Kane.
My baby daughter was left with horrifying pus
Children of Flint water crisis make change as young environmental and health activists
Yoko Ono to receive Edward MacDowell Medal for lifetime achievement
Taylor Swift's Fortnight music video reunites Dead Poets Society stars Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles
Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
Nearly 100 Belarus political prisoners have severe medical problems, rights group says
Meghan Markle's Beagle Mamma Mia appears in Abigail Spencer's gushing post about new jam
Kevin Costner treats his kids to lunch in Montecito while ex
Real Madrid celebrates another Champions League title with its fans on streets of Spanish capital
Vice President Harris announces final rules mandating minimum standards for nursing home staffing
Helicopter crashes in a field in New Hampshire, officials say
Bebe Rexha confidently shows off her curves in a figure