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Felix Magath on the day of his performance at Hertha BSC together with managing director Fredi Bobic
Photo: IMAGO/Matthias Koch
Felix Magath has been introduced as the new coach at Bundesliga soccer team Hertha BSC.
The former champion coach of FC Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg warned of further disputes and conflicts at the press conference in Berlin.
"I hope it's clear to everyone that the next few weeks will be about Hertha BSC, not Felix Magath or Fredi Bobic.
It's about the club being in a situation where it needs broad support, the players need support," said Magath.
The 68-year-old said that it was now about Hertha BSC and not about himself.
He is happy that Bobic had the courage to ask him.
He called for »concentration and focusing on the essentials«.
Magath pointed out that he had been successful as a firefighter in the past.
"It's something tailored for me."
Recently, in addition to the sporting descent to 17th place at Hertha, there have always been public disputes and differences of opinion - right up to the presidency and million-dollar investor Lars Windhorst.
"Not many who have the courage to take over a club in this situation."
Magath did not yet want to answer what needs to be changed at Hertha.
He followed Hertha's last game, the team "resisted", the players "tried and showed the will to fight against relegation".
However, it seemed uncoordinated, it was not a team appearance.
For precise plans for the sporting upswing, however, he still has to get to know the players better.
Magath announced at least one personality: Scottish ex-pro Mark Fotheringham, with whom Magath worked during his time at FC Fulham, is to become his assistant.
The first game under Magath is on Saturday (3.30 p.m. / Sky) against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
Hertha managing director Fredi Bobic said of Magath that he was someone who "dedicated to discipline" and had a "clear and hard hand" when dealing with his players.
"There are not many who have the courage to take over a club in such a situation." He has known Magath for a long time and has great respect.
see/dpa