BERLIN:

One year on from their stunning unbeaten Bundesliga title triumph, new Bayern Leverkusen coach has been handed the task of rebuilding the club, along with his own reputation.

Leverkusen open their Bundesliga season at home against Hoffenheim on Saturday after a turbulent summer, with high-profile departures on and off the pitch, rendering the side unrecognisable from the 2023-24 double winners.

The architect of that success, Xabi Alonso, has moved on to Real Madrid and taken his backroom staff with him.

Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong and Lukas Hradecky -- all pillars in Leverkusen's double-winning season -- also left this summer, with others rumoured to be heading out the door.

In their place are several exciting if inexperienced newcomers, includi

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