DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Three of Bayern Munich’s senior figures did something Sunday that no one at the club had done since 2012.

They congratulated another team on winning the Bundesliga.

President Herbert Hainer, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and sporting director Max Eberl each offered praise for new champion Bayer Leverkusen and coach Xabi Alonso — who Bayern had been keen to sign — and each vowed Bayern would fight to reclaim the trophy it held for 11 long years.

“The goal for FC Bayern now is: the trophy must come back to Munich!” Hainer wrote.

The question is how.

Bayern didn’t just lose the Bundesliga title to Leverkusen, it lost it by 16 points with five games to go. Bayern wrapped up the crown that early only three times in its 11-year reign. That means a comprehensive rebuild is looming.

Bayern’s 2023-24 season isn’t over yet, and coach Thomas Tuchel could yet salvage some pride in the Champions League before he leaves. It’s not impossible that Wednesday’s quarterfinal second leg against Arsenal, poised at 2-2, could be Bayern’s next step to the June 1 final and a first trophy for Harry Kane.