It is hard to believe that a mere 16 months ago, as they celebrated an unprecedented, unbeaten domestic double-winning season with their awestruck fans at the BayArena, Bayer Leverkusen resembled the very picture of stability, health and continuity.

It seemed as though Die Werkself were set to maintain their soaring productivity levels, with Xabi Alonso working his coaching magic and having rebuffed his former clubs, Bayern Munich and Liverpool , as they searched for new managers. Sporting director Simon Rolfes and director of football Kim Falkenberg appeared on top of the world on the planning fronts, and there was no sense at all that a big Umbruch (upheaval) was coming.

Now, as Leverkusen prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday ( 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+ ), it is almost

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