With Kaiserslautern in the relegation zone and eliminated from the Intertoto Cup, manager Andreas Brehme was sacked.
Although the defense was improved, conceding only 3 goals more all season than in the championship season of 1998, the attacking record suffered and Kaiserslautern finished 14th, 4 points ahead of the relegation zone.
However, the team did make a run to the final of the DFB-Pokal; despite a 3–1 defeat to double winners Bayern Munich, the team qualified again for the UEFA Cup.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.