5 clubs that could break Bayern Munich's dominance next season

Among the top five European divisions, it's hard to argue that any title race is more boring than the one in the Bundesliga. While Bayern Munich's current streak of six consecutive titles is bettered by Italian powerhouse Juventus, the convincing fashion in which they do it is unparalleled.

As a result of this dominance, the German football landscape has started to evolve around the seemingly inevitable fact, that the Bavarian's will be hoisting the Meisterschale at the end of the season.

For example, while most pre-season discussions in other leagues are centered around the question 'who will be the champion?', the question asked in the Bundesliga is 'in what month will Bayern be champions?'.

There is even a term for the team that manages to stay in touch with Bayern at the top of the table, the 'Bayern-Jäger' (engl.: Bayern-Hunters). However, next season could be slightly different from what we've become accustomed to in the Bundesliga.

While the rather inexperienced Niko Kovac will be taking over as a manager, star striker Robert Lewandowski appears to be extremely unhappy. Furthermore, several other Bayern players have been linked with big money moves into more competitive leagues.

With the next season presenting a great opportunity to challenge the German giants, we take a look at five teams, who have the greatest potential to break Bayern Munich's dominance.

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#5 FC Schalke 04

Schalke will struggle to replace Meyer and Goretzka

Admittedly, the Bundesliga runner-up should not be at the bottom of this list. However, several high-profile exits as well as Champions League football to look forward to, mean that Die Königsblauen may struggle to finish in the top four, never mind above Bayern.

Schalke will be going into the next season without their midfield talismans Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer. The fact that both of them are leaving on a free transfer just adds insult to injury to the S04 faithful.

While the club's bosses have already announced various signings, including centre-back Salif Sane from Hannover and Germany under-21 talent Suat Serdar, the quality that is leaving Gelsenkirchen this summer will be hard to find without the necessary funds.

Schalke's hopes will rest on the shoulders of their young manager Domenico Tedesco, who finally brought some structure back into the club, next season. Additionally, some of the returning loanees, like Johannes Geis (returning from Sevilla) and Coke (returning from Levante), could hit the ground running at the club.

#4 Borussia Mönchengladbach

Thorgan Hazard is the key to Gladbach's success next season

Gladbach are one of the most consistent teams in the Bundesliga in this decade. Since narrowly escaping the drop in 2011, the Fohlen have not finished a season in the bottom half of the table.

Yet, despite their 'consistency', it feels like they are constantly underperforming. Gladbach are known to have weak spells during seasons and in the past two years, those spells have cost them a shot at international football.

While the club has multiple good attacking players, like Thorgan Hazard and Lars Stindl, they lack a true 'No.9' who will score the number of goals necessary to truly challenge for a top spot in the Bundesliga. A lethal finisher could also take the pressure off a struggling defence and give the back four more confidence

A lot would have to come together for Gladbach to seriously mount a title challenge next season, but if they fix their consistency issues and remain focused throughout the whole campaign, they are a force to be reckoned with in the Bundesliga.

#3 RB Leipzig

Will Timo Werner follow his manager's example and leave the Red Bulls?

If this article was about which Bundesliga teams that challenge Bayern in the long run, RB Leipzig would probably top this list, as the Red Bulls have accumulated a wealth of talent and have the necessary financial backing to become a powerhouse in Germany's top tier.

However, Leipzig will be facing a tumultuous season next year, with manager Ralph Hasenhüttl and Naby Keita both calling quits on their time with the Saxons. Both have been key figures in the club's recent top-flight success and will be extremely tough to replace

Additionally, Emil Forsberg's and Timo Werner's futures at the club are in doubt and a fantastic World Cup by either of the two will only spark more interest from foreign clubs.

Nevertheless, Leipzig's squad is young, hungry and has great potential. They are capable of beating anyone on their day, including Bayern, so why shouldn't they make a serious challenge for the top spot in the 2018/19 season?

#2 TSG Hoffenheim

Julian Nagelsmann is the face of Hoffenheim's success

TSG Hoffenheim are the current high-flyers in the Bundesliga and they are poised to for another great season next year. With manager Julian Nagelsmann seemingly staying put for at least another year, 1899 have arguably the best coach in German football in charge.

According to German sports magazine Sport Bild, the club has generated 266 million in competition and transfer revenue, since the 30-year-old took over in 2016. The club is therefore finally independent from their controversial investor Dietmar Hopp.

While Hoffenheim, like most German teams, are more of a selling club, the core of the team will stay intact as they are slowly but surely developing into a regular feature at the top of the Bundesliga table.

Nagelsmann's record against Bayern will also give his club hope. The shooting star has a positive league record against the champions, earning seven points in four games against the Bavarians.

If the young coach continues to get the best out of his players, the sky is the limit for Hoffenheim next season, as they look to establish themselves as one of Germany's top teams.

#1 Borussia Dortmund

Dortmund are a different team when Reus is fit

Who else? Dortmund have been the 'Bayern-Jäger' for the past decade and they will look to chase down the Bavarians once again with former Borussia Mönchengladbach and OGC Nice manager Lucien Favre at the helm.

The Frenchman will be hoping to restore the glory days that the club enjoyed under Jürgen Klopp and for that to happen he will need to rely on his key players, particularly Marco Reus, staying fit.

When Marco Reus is on the pitch Dortmund's entire team seems to transform. The German is a handful for any defence he faces and alongside attackers like Christian Pulisic, Andriy Yarmolenko, and Maximilian Philipp, he can truly unlock his full potential.

Dortmund's main issues last season were their consistency and some untimely goalkeeping errors that cost them matches. While the first problem will have to be dealt with by their new manager Lucien Favre, BVB have already got themselves a great new goalkeeper in Marwin Hitz.

Dortmund can seriously give Bayern a run for their money next year provided that they avoid major slip-ups, like throwing away a 4-0 lead against local rivals Schalke 04. If Favre can apply his work done at other clubs, Borussia could be in for their first proper title challenge in years.