Felix Magath indicated that a return to FC Schalke 04 was in the offing in the 2020/2021 relegation season.
“There were people who were of the opinion that they would rather not stay in the Bundesliga before Magath kept us in the league,” said the long-time Bundesliga coach in an interview with “Funke Mediengruppe”.
In the chaotic season, Schalke employed five coaches in David Wagner, Manuel Baum, Huub Stevens, Christian Gross and Dimitrios Grammozis. However, the fall into the second division could not be prevented.
Magath worked at Schalke between 2009 and 2011 as both head coach and manager. Under his direction, the Royal Blues reached both the quarterfinals of the Champions League and the final of the DFB Cup in 2010/2011.
Schalke then won the title with a 5-0 win over MSV Duisburg with Magath’s successor Ralf Rangnick.
The miners are currently in completely different areas. In the Bundesliga, after the direct resurgence last summer, there is a risk of relegation again.
Felix Magath still believes FC Schalke 04 will stay in the league
Magath still believes in his former club’s relegation. “There is still almost half a season to play. Of course Schalke can still hold the league,” said the 69-year-old, who saved Hertha BSC from relegation last season as a “fireman”. “When fans and team are as one, victories are possible, especially at home.”
The experienced football coach sees a positive development in the last few weeks: “I saw Schalke in Frankfurt in January and their performance was ready for the second division. But the game in Gladbach was a pure relegation battle. That may have been the turning point.”
Most recently, Schalke, under coach Thomas Reis, drew 0-0 in a row against 1. FC Köln and Gladbach. The table situation of the S04 is still precarious: As the bottom of the table, the gap to 16th place is already five points. On Friday (8:30 p.m.) Schalke meets seventh-placed VfL Wolfsburg in their home arena.