Schalke started the season brightly but soon imploded, replacing coach Huub Stevens with a rookie in Jens Keller but rallied to gain Champions League qualification, while two of the newly-promoted teams. Greuther Furth and Fortuna Dusseldorf went straight back down to the second tier, but Eintracht Frankfurt staged a credible charge for a European place, eventually finishing sixth.
But what of the other winners and losers? Who have been the best players and coaches in the league season? And what of the worst? Goal hands out the individual awards at the end of another absorbing nine months of football.
| BEST GOALKEEPER Rene Adler (Hamburg) |
Just one year ago, Rene Adler's career was in tatters. After a series of injuries saw him lose his place in the Germany setup and the Bayer Leverkusen team, he was out of contract. However, a free transfer to Hamburg gave him the chance to rebuild and he has taken it with aplomb. Having stayed fit, he turned in performances of such a high calibre that he won his place back in Joachim Low's squad and has even been linked with a move to Arsenal.
| BEST DEFENDER Dante (Bayern Munich) |
Dante's move to Bayern Munich from Borussia Monchengladbach last summer certainly raised some eyebrows but the Brazilian has well and truly taken his chance. With first David Alaba then Holger Badstuber sustaining long-term injuries, he has been the mainstay in Jupp Heynckes' back line alongside Philipp Lahm. His importance to the team is there for all to see and Bayern frankly don't look the same team without him in their ranks.
| BEST MIDFIELDER Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) |
While Dante's rise to prominence has been something of a shock, Franck Ribery's brilliant form has been exactly what Bundesliga fans have come to expect of the Frenchman. Having maintained his fitness at long last, the 30-year-old has turned in a string of brilliant displays, terrorising defence after defence. His stats of 10 goals and 14 assists in league games may sound meagre but the sheer number of chances he has created for team-mates with such consistency sees him scoop the prize over all others.
| BEST ATTACKER Robert Lewandowski (Dortmund) |
Less than two years ago, Dortmund fans were cursing their luck when an injury to Lucas Barrios meant Robert Lewandowski would be their only striker for the start of the season. Ever since then, he has proven everyone wrong and become the division's best attacker with 24 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances this term. Throughout the season he was always there when his team needed him, scoring in a remarkable 13 straight league games. He may well leave the club at the season's end, but few will forget his contributions to Jurgen Klopp's side this season.
| BEST YOUNGSTER (Under-21) Mario Gotze (Dortmund) |
Off the field, the story of the season in Germany is undoubtedly Mario Gotze's summer transfer to Bayern Munich. The 20-year-old endured a frustrating campaign last term, missing many games through injury. He made amends this time out, though, coming of age with a string of fine performances, teaming up with Marco Reus and Lewandowski to devastating effect. This has been his year and he has one last chance to bow out with a flourish for BVB.
| BEST COACH Jupp Heynckes (Bayern Munich) |
After suffering so much disappointment last year, Bayern have picked themselves up off the ground brilliantly. And while the players have been remarkably consistent, much credit should go to their boss, who has kept them going despite the mid-season announcement of Pep Guardiola and the subsequent speculation surrounding the club. Bayern have broken all the records this season and Heynckes has been the man behind their brilliance.
| BEST TRANSFER Dante (Gladbach to Bayern) |
Bayern Munich hit the headlines last summer with their €40 million purchase of Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao, but Dante's form since a €4.7m switch to the Allianz Arena from Borussia Park has made the biggest transformation to his side. The Brazilian has been almost ever present and when he is missing Bayern suffer - just look at their defensive horror show against Fortuna Dusseldorf in his absence.
| WORST TRANSFER Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen to Hoffenheim) |
Big things were expected of Hoffenheim when they brought in some high-profile names last summer but they have thoroughly failed to live up to expectations. And none of their signings have flopped more than Tim Wiese, who was transferred from Werder Bremen. Barely a month into his nightmare spell at the Rhein Neckar Arena, he was dropped by Germany before being frozen out at his new club and stripped of the captaincy. A little over a year ago, he was linked with AC Milan (albeit rather fancifully), now his career is in tatters.
| BEST PLAYER Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) |
While many Bayern stars enjoyed an extraordinary season, none have been as consistently brilliant as Franck Ribery. The Frenchman has combined brilliantly with left-back David Alaba on the wing and set up a countless number of chances for those around him. Ribery may have turned 30 back in April, but he showed no signs of slowing down after a fantastic campaign for the Bavarians.
| WORST PLAYER Eren Derdiyok (Hoffenheim) |
Eren Derdiyok arrived at Hoffenheim, ready to lead the Rhein Neckar Arena side into the top half of the table, fresh from a campaign which saw him score 10 goals in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen. However, he failed to make any sort of an impact with his new club, scoring just one goal in 19 games. At just 24, he has years ahead of him to rediscover his form, but he will be eager to put 2012-13 firmly behind him.
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