Bayer Leverkusen hang on in Bundesliga, but shake-up is already under way


Die Werkself secured their Bundesliga future with a derby draw against Köln, but coach Tayfun Korkut is already on his way … and key players could follow

In a Bundesliga season full of surprises, this was not one of them. Bayer Leverkusen, as has become habitual in recent weeks, did just enough to avoid the doomsday scenario and in this case, enough to take a crucial point in Saturday’s derby with Köln. They remain only three points above the relegation play-off spot but with current occupants Hamburg and next-worst Wolfsburg playing each other on the final day, Die Werkself will again be a top-flight club next season.

It is quite surreal that having to state that has become necessary but if Leverkusen’s flirtation with sporting ruin leaves one pinching oneself, the club’s first step towards reclaiming some sort of normality most certainly does not. Managing director Michael Schade confirmed after the full-time whistle that coach Tayfun Korkut will leave at the end of the season.

Related: Bayern Munich storm back to win 5-4 at RB Leipzig in Bundesliga thriller

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