Leverkusen hope Korkut presses restart button to save season

FILE PHOTO - Hanover 96's head coach Tayfun Korkut celebrates after the German Bundesliga first division soccer match against Schalke 04 in Hanover, August 23, 2014. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

BERLIN (Reuters) - Bayer Leverkusen are desperately hoping new coach Tayfun Korkut can inject new life into the Champions League contenders in time to rescue a European spot from an otherwise disappointing season.

Leverkusen take on improving Werder Bremen on Friday less than a week after their 6-2 Bundesliga demolition by Borussia Dortmund triggered the departure of coach Roger Schmidt.