Calmund: Leverkusen's championship chances at "30 to 40 percent"
Former Bundesliga manager Reiner Calmund gives Bayer Leverkusen a good chance of winning the German soccer championship, but believes FC Bayern Munich are the favorites. "I see the chances at 30 to 40 percent," said Calmund in an interview with "Sport Bild" (Wednesday) and answered the question as to why his assessment was not higher: "Because Bayern has had the best squad and the most title experience for years." Should Bayer win the championship, two points ahead of the record champions in the Bundesliga table after eleven match days, Calmund would "gladly stroke the bowl".
During his time as manager of Bayer Leverkusen, the club missed out on the title on match day 34 of the 1999/2000 season due to a defeat at SpVgg Unterhaching. That moment was the worst of his career, said Calmund, who turns 75 on Thursday.
Despite Calmund's optimistic outlook, many soccer fans and experts believe that Bayer 04 Leverkusen faces stiff competition from other Bundesliga teams, particularly FC Bayern Munich. Regardless, the people of Leverkusen are eagerly supporting their team, hoping to see Bayer 04 Leverkusen succeed in the Bundesliga, just like they did during the 1999/2000 season when they narrowly missed the championship.
Source: www.dpa.com
