Felix Magath’s reputation as “Quälix” precedes him. Do you now have to prepare for the worst at Hertha BSC? And what does Tina Turner have to do with it? A very wild mind game.
Should we be disappointed? Or would you rather breathe a sigh of relief? The first training session led by Felix Magath at Hertha BSC on Tuesday went smoothly. Almost a miracle in view of the horror stories about violent runs and medicine balls dusted off from the tabloids with every report about the 68-year-old.
“I demand discipline for Hertha BSC. I don’t feel happy doing that,” said Magath at his official presentation on Monday. “The players have to understand that discipline is part of a team sport.” He just can’t get rid of the reputation of “Quälix”. But would iron discipline and unyielding hardness help Berliners at all? And who would be affected first?
t-online has thought: This is how it could work with Felix Magath at Hertha – or not:
Kevin Prince Boateng: Publicly spurned by Magath in Schalke’s times. More present today through the advertising loop for the Berlin documentary of a streaming service than through his work at Hertha. Bring his new trainer “Berlin Underground” as an inaugural present – on DVD. “Isn’t that on VHS?” Magath asks back, clearly upset.
If Hertha hadn’t been so quick to sign the 35-year-old, he could have become the next Ali Karimi. But at least: Magath sees qualities in Boateng like Mark van Bommel once did: “He has the leader gene,” he explains with shining eyes.
Davie Selke: There is still no proof that Werder Bremen accepted relegation last season in order not to have to pay Hertha the horrendous fee that would be due in the event of relegation. Celebrated his goal to 1: 3 against RB Leipzig a few weeks ago with exactly the energy and verve that he and the team usually lack in 2021/22.
Davie Selke: Hertha’s striker symbolizes the crisis in Berlin. (Source: Laci Perenyi/imago images)
Under the strict eye of the new coach, consolation goals in hopelessly lost games will have to be limited to a timid clenched fist. For the time being, Magath’s favorite down-to-earth food, cream herring, has been prescribed for continued grounding.
Marton Dardai: Sitting on the bench in a good mood, the 0:2 at Borussia Mönchengladbach and the crash in 17th place didn’t spoil the Hungarian’s amusement. Apologized meekly afterwards, as if he had already felt the approaching new coach breathing down his neck.
“I’ve been bad for more than five minutes,” explained the 20-year-old in a one-on-one interview with Magath. But he won’t give up and is planning a memo for the next deadline day: Dardai’s sale will be announced, but the transfer bar on Twitter will remain at 22 percent until midnight.
Fredi Bobic: Before taking office, the active sports director probably did not expect to have to spend a large part of his first nine months with the Berliners explaining that none of this had been expected. Faces increasing criticism, sometimes seems tense.
Magath remembers his entry under “Favorite Music” in the special issue of a chocolate bar manufacturer for the 1986 World Cup and brings a meaningful present from his home record collection (Tina Turner, “Better Be Good To Me”).
Lars Windhorst: During the first conversation with the investor, who is always concerned about the public knowledge of his solvency, Magath presents a list of 17 players – including several rather unexpected names. That already worked at Schalke and during his second term in Wolfsburg.
Lars Windhorst: Changeable cooperation with Hertha since the investment. (Source: Matthias Koch/imago images)
When both were accused of lacking communication with the public when the list became known, Windhorst and Magath set up a joint Facebook account.
“It’s only possible with you,” they appeal to the increasingly angry fans in a somewhat shaky video. “Hold the camera still, Fredi,” exclaimed Magath.