Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel declared the Bundesliga title fight was over following Saturday's 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund, which left Bayer Leverkusen 13 points ahead with seven games remaining.
"Congratulations to Leverkusen," Tuchel told Sky Germany following the encounter, which came hours after unbeaten league leaders Leverkusen rallied from behind to defeat Hoffenheim 2-1 at home, due to two goals in the last minutes.
When asked if the title race was finished, Tuchel said "of course," adding that Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen would win their first Bundesliga title.
"After today's game, there's nothing left to say," said Tuchel, who will depart Bayern in the summer.
Leverkusen, who have dropped only eight points all season, need just nine points from their final seven games to lift the Bundesliga title for the first time.
Bayern veteran Thomas Mueller, who has won 12 titles in Munich, including the last 11 straight, told Sky: "I'm not a professor of mathematics and I haven't done the sums, but if we're being honest, it's unrealistic."
It was the latest defeat in a difficult week for Bayern.
Alonso, who was seen as Tuchel's replacement at Bayern, declared on Friday that he would remain as Leverkusen coach beyond this season.
Tuchel said that his team "did not hit a high level" during the game, saying, "We shouldn't have allowed it to happen, but we did."