Where is the Bundesliga headed?

After two exciting years with the presence of Leverkusen, don't be surprised if the Bundesliga title race returns to a lackluster state next season.

Leverkusen will find it difficult to retain their top position in the Bundesliga next season - Photo: Reuters

Just two weeks after taking over as Leverkusen's head coach, Erik Ten Hag has already left his mark with a humiliating 1-5 defeat against Flamengo's U20 team. Of course, friendly matches don't reveal too much. But a crushing defeat against a U20 team – a club that was still among the top teams in Europe last season – is truly unacceptable.

If it were Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti, or Jose Mourinho, Leverkusen fans might just laugh it off. Everyone needs a fresh start, and strong teams often tend to slow down after the summer break.

But this is Erik Ten Hag – the man who plunged Man United into crisis by squandering over half a billion pounds in less than three years. As a consequence, the Red Devils' owners have had to cut staff and spend to the maximum extent in the past year.

When Leverkusen appointed Erik Ten Hag, the Western media were full of ridicule. Of course, it's still too early to judge the Dutch strategist. And even if Ten Hag fails at Leverkusen, he could be forgiven given the personnel changes at the German club last summer.

They successively let go of three of the team's most important stars - including Wirtz, Frimpong, and Tah. In addition, they also let go of coach Xabi Alonso - who had led Leverkusen to success for the past three years.

It would be no surprise if Leverkusen faltered this season. And if that happens, the Bundesliga will once again sink into a dull phase of the title race. Before Leverkusen's shock victory in the 2023-2024 season, Bayern Munich dominated the league for 11 consecutive years, frustrating challenger Dortmund and destroying the chances of progress for teams like Leipzig, Schalke, and others.

Normally, finishing second in a major tournament within the top four of European championships qualifies you as a "big club." But Dortmund, who finished second seven times during Bayern Munich's 11 seasons of dominance, never truly became a European football powerhouse. They lacked the financial resources of Atletico Madrid – a third-tier team in La Liga – or Arsenal and Chelsea – inconsistent teams that often dropped out of the top four of the Premier League…

It's all because of Bayern Munich's overwhelming dominance. The "Bavarian giants" are not only too strong, winning championships continuously, but they also directly "bleed" their competitors dry.

That's why Leverkusen tried hard not to sell Wirtz to Bayern Munich, but still lost Tah to their rivals. Given what's happening in the early stages of the season, Leverkusen is unlikely to bounce back, and Dortmund is on a downward spiral.

Who else will be competing with Bayern Munich next season?

HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bundesliga-di-ve-dau-20250720082314731.htm