TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 4-2 Bayern Munich: Bayern end season in third as hosts come back from two goals down to win six-goal thriller

Bayern Munich blew a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga finale on Saturday, thanks to an Andrej Kramaric hat-trick, ending a disappointing season in third place as coach Thomas Tuchel stepped down.

Saturday's performance typified Bayern's first season without a trophy in over a decade, as they played outstandingly to reach the Champions League semi-finals while also falling short against weaker opponents, including third-tier Saarbruecken, who defeated them in the German Cup.

Mathys Tel and Alphonso Davies scored early goals for the injury-ravaged Bavarians, who led 2-0 after six minutes.

They were without leading striker Harry Kane, who was back in England to recover from an injury ahead of Euro 2024, as well as Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala, and Leroy Sane.

Hoffenheim did not give up and pulled one back two minutes later through Germany international Maximilian Beier, as the hosts gradually slowed the game's early pace.

Croatia international Kramaric scored a stunning 19-minute hat-trick with the Bayern defence in disarray, dropping them to third place in the standings with 72 points.

Tuchel was informed in February that he would be leaving at the end of the season, a year earlier than his contract. He confirmed that there were discussions last week to potentially reverse that decision, but no agreement was reached.

Bayern are searching for his replacement after several other coaches, including Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso, Ralf Rangnick, and Julian Nagelsmann, chose to stay in their current positions.

Bayer Leverkusen took the top spot with 90 points. VfB Stuttgart finished second with 73 points after defeating Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-0. Bayern finished third with 72.

SportsLigue