Ex-protégé in the TM interview
With the signing of Felix Magath, Hertha BSC delivered the coaching surprise of the current Bundesliga season, if not of previous years, on Sunday evening. One person who knows the 68-year-old very well is ex-national striker Kevin Kuranyi. The 40-year-old, who now works as a consultant, made 130 appearances under Magath. At Transfermarkt he describes his personal impressions and his expectations of Magath’s engagement in Berlin. In addition, Kuranyi reveals what you should not do to annoy the coaching legend.
Transfer market: Mr. Kuranyi, what did you think when Hertha introduced BSC Magath as the new head coach?
Kevin Kuranyi: This is the last hope.
Transfer market: You’ve played 130 times under Magath – he’s only brought on three professionals more often than you in his long career. And you yourself have not kicked more often under any coach. What teachings and wisdom from Magath still help you today?
Kuranyi: That talent alone is not enough. To achieve something you need mentality, professionalism and never give up.
Coach Felix Magath (left) and striker Kevin Kuranyi at VfB Stuttgart
Transfer market: Magath’s entry as a trainer at Hertha either caused a shake of the head or great astonishment. Sensation or resounding failure: What do you believe in?
Kuranyi: To the sensation. If anyone else can fix that in Berlin, it’s Felix Magath. Because, as already mentioned, he brings what Hertha lacks the most at the moment: mentality and discipline.
Kuranyi on Magath at Hertha BSC: “It can also go wrong with any other coach”
Transfer market: Magath last worked as a coach until 2017, in China at Shandong Taishan. His last station in the Bundesliga was VfL Wolfsburg in 2012. Can that even work with Hertha and Magath?
Kuranyi: I understand that there are many doubters. And of course that can also go wrong. But it can also go wrong with any other coach. And the accusation that Felix Magath is a coach of the old school doesn’t go far enough for me in the current situation. Because even if that were to be the case, tactics are only of secondary importance at the moment. It is all about the so-called basic virtues.
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Transfer market: Professional football and training have changed and developed over the past decade, young players are more empowered. Does Magath fit in with his methods at all?
Kuranyi: Maybe it’s a good thing if he doesn’t fit in there 100 percent. Maybe something completely different is needed now.
Transfer market: How can Magath specifically help the completely insecure Hertha BSC team? The team spirit is also said to have suffered greatly among the Berliners…
Kuranyi: He’s going to be tough now. And there will be surprises. But at the end of the day, the players who actually give their all will be on the pitch. And if that is successful, the team spirit grows again.
Transfer market: What did you particularly appreciate about Magath?
Kuranyi: That you could fight your way into the team with him. Even without a big name.
Transfer market: You made your Bundesliga debut with VfB Stuttgart under Magath in 2001 – you were 19 at the time. What was your initial relationship with him like? How did he encourage you?
Kuranyi explains coach Magath: As a player, just don’t let it down
Kuranyi: He makes decisions based on performance and is not afraid of unpopular decisions. That’s why he just brought me. He didn’t care how it was received.
Transfer market: As a player, what shouldn’t you do to annoy coach Magath and get sidelined with him?
Kuranyi: You mustn’t let yourself down.
Transfer market: Which anecdote with Magath do you particularly remember?
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Kuranyi: At the training camp in Portugal, as a young VfB player, I made the mistake of eating too much breakfast. During the subsequent run down the “stairs of death”, as the press called it, I went beyond my physical limits and had to throw up. Magath just said: “Wipe your mouth, let’s move on.” Sounds like an extreme example now. But overall, his approach has helped me become a better professional.
Transfer market: How is your contact with each other today? What are they talking about?
Kuranyi: We have a friendly relationship and look forward to seeing each other. Also keep in touch regularly. And of course we mostly talk about football.
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