Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim have announced the appointment of 28-year-old Julian Nagelsmann as their next trainer, making him the youngest manager in Bundesliga history.
The German Football Association rejected a complaint from Hoffenheim on Monday about a "ghost goal" scored in the Bundesliga a week ago. The referee allowed a header to stand despite the ball slipping in through a hole in the net.
<b>UPDATE:</b> Hoffenheim have called for a replay after losing 2-1 to Bayer Leverkusen thanks to a freak 'phantom' goal as the German Football Federation (DFB) prepares to launch an investigation on Monday.
1899 Hoffenheim will remain in the Bundesliga next season after their 2-1 win at 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Monday's promotion/relegation play-off, second leg.
Bundesliga matches took bizarre and unappetising turns at the weekend, with a Hoffenheim employee blasting Borussia supporters with a high-pitched siren – and Cologne fans showering their Schalke rivals with faeces and urine.
Hoffenheim destroyed Werder Bremen 4-1 on Saturday in their opening Bundesliga season game, challenging Bayern Munich's claim to again being the team to beat after the Bavarians won against Wolfsburg on Friday.
Host Bayern Munich is hoping a home win over Hoffenheim on Friday night will put them at the top of the Bundesliga more than 18 months after they last led the German league.
Hertha Berlin went second in the Bundesliga on Friday, behind leaders Wolfsburg, after badboy midfielder Patrick Ebert hit the first-half goal which sealed his side's 1-0 win at Hoffenheim.
Politicians, broadcasters and football functionaries on Monday all roundly rejected an idea by FC Bayern Munich manager Uli Hoeneß to slap a €2 fee on all German households with a TV to help finance the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Michael Rensing said his side owed their fans an apology after slumping to their third loss in four league games on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat by Cologne.
Hoffenheim travel to Stuttgart on Saturday with coach Ralf Rangnick fearing stardom has turned his players' heads after they were dumped from the Bundesliga summit.
Bayern Munich coach Jürgen Klinsmann insists his side will give Bundesliga leaders Hoffenheim no peace until they are back at the top of the table - starting this weekend.
Hoffenheim went back to the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Energie Cottbus to prove they can cope without injured striker Vedad Ibisevic.
Bayern Munich returned from their winter holidays looking as though they meant business judged by the way Jürgen Klinsmann's men swept aside VfB Stuttgart 5-1 on Tuesday.
The title ambitions of Bundesliga upstart Hoffenheim suffered a potentially fatal blow on Thursday when 18-goal striker Vedad Ibisevic was ruled out for the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
It was not too long ago that little Hoffenheim were languishing in the dark dungeon of Germany's eighth division, worlds away from the glamour boys of the top flight like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich started and finished the year in their customary position amongst the league's top sides, but the real story of the Bundesliga in 2008 was the fairytale rise of new boys Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim finish the year as league leaders above Bayern Munich after coming from behind to seal a 1-1 draw with nine-man Schalke 04 on Sunday as the village team from southwest Germany continue the Bundesliga fairytale.
Former Germany goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand has joined Hoffenheim on a free transfer as he looks to relaunch his international career, the Bundesliga leaders announced on Wednesday.
Italian striker Luca Toni scored an injury-time winner to give Bayern Munich a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Hoffenheim on Friday to pull level with their opponents at the top of the Bundesliga.
The title credentials of surprise German league leaders Hoffenheim will face their sternest examination yet on Friday when the village side travel to the home of reigning champions Bayern Munich.
Having taken the Bundesliga by storm so far this season, league leader Hoffenheim travels to Hertha Berlin on Sunday with Nigeria striker Chinedu Obasi claiming his side can beat anyone.
