Bundesliga in need of shake-up

As the Bundesliga embarks on its 60th edition, no one, it seems, is particularly keen to break out the bunting and the champagne.

Although not exactly in an existential crisis, the German top flight most definitely has lost a degree of lustre of late. The big picture, once a valuable old master, now is in need of some restoration.

Is it any wonder that the merchants of gloom are in the ascendency? After ten years of total Bayern Munich dominance – and no sign of the Bavarians loosening their grip on Bundesliga power – competition at the top of the table has essentially dried up. Marquee players are either voting with their feet and heading off, or hell-bent on doing so, with ace striker Erling