Although Felix Magath had to watch his first game as coach of Hertha BSC from the couch due to Corona, his influence on the previously lifeless team was already noticeable. With the 3-0 home win against TSG Hoffenheim, belief in staying up in the league has returned – but wrongly so, according to former BVB pro Michael Rummenigge.
Who would have thought? After months of setbacks, Hertha BSC sent a clear sign of life against the previously in-form Champions League aspirant 1899 Hoffenheim.
Under the direction of Felix Magath’s assistant Mark Fotheringham, the old lady made it to 16th relegation place.
The former German national player Michael Rummenigge doesn’t quite trust the new spirit of optimism in Berlin. In its “sports buzzercolumn, the 58-year-old expressed serious doubts about the Big City Club remaining in the league.
He had to “pinch himself” when he found out about Magath’s commitment, admitted Rummenigge, who “didn’t think such a comeback was possible”.
Hertha BSC: “Many egoists”, but “no leaders”
Now the veteran coach is facing a “difficult task” because he has to “pay for what has gone wrong since investor Lars Windhorst came on board”. The latter had pumped around 375 million euros into the club to make it a top address nationally and on the European stage – so far a shot in the oven.
“Coal was burned, the squad is not put together wisely. I see a lot of selfish people. When the substitutes laugh when they concede, that says a lot about the character of a team,” said Rummenigge sharply. He currently sees “no leading players” at Hertha.
“Last cartridge” for Fredi Bobic at Hertha BSC?
In this context, the long-time Bundesliga star also sees dramatic mistakes in the Berlin sports director Fredi Bobic.
According to Rummenigge, Magath’s installation could already be his “last cartridge”. Hertha’s squad planner “watched the sometimes pathetic performances under Pál Dárdai and Tayfun Korkut for too long”.
Compared to the direct competition in the basement, Rummenigge still sees the old lady at a disadvantage. “FC Augsburg has been used to the relegation battle for twelve years, Stuttgart has more quality. That’s why Hertha will be relegated – Magath or Quälix,” he painted a bleak picture for the capital club.