Club reputation, I don't understand?

How does this make sense?

After winning the Bundesliga for the 3rd season in a row, my reputation in Europe has taken a sharp decline, I've gone from 4* to 3.5*, maybe something to do with a disappointing cup run and being knocked out in the first round of the ECC this year. However in the European Club rankings I'm somehow now 16th, moving up 8 places which doesn't exactly match what my rep is saying. I guess the fact the Bundesliga has gone down to 3.5* might have something do with it but..

I then noticed that Leverkusen despite finishing 7th, 2nd and 8th in the past 3 seasons and only managing to finish 3rd in their champions league group in Europe this year are somehow stuck at 4*. Along with Bayern who've ended 3rd, 4th and 3rd in the past 3 seasons sitting at 4* but that might have more to do with previous success and a large reputation.

So why have I taken the decline and why is the game recognizing worse clubs as more reputable?

Reputation in this game just confuses me.

Pretty sure it's connected to the league's reputation mainly.

For some reason the Bundesliga declines quickly after the game starts. Can't see that happening irl at the moment.

I've had this happen before, must be to do with league rep.

Reputation goes off a few things. Your teams performance in Europe, other teams performance in Europe and the overall quality of the league. Any of these can have a factor in the ratings for certain things.

Why is it that Leverkusen keep their 4* reputation despite no success then?

I can't imagine you'd ever look at the team who won the Bundesliga for the 3rd time in a row worse off than a team who have done much worse off in the past seasons.