[Oliver_Kahn]

Uli Hoeness has backed under-pressure Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath and hinted that the former Stuttgart boss could have a long-term future at the Allianz-Arena.

Bayern won two straight domestic doubles since Magath took the helm in July 2004, but given a poor start to the 2006-07 season, the German media speculated that his days in Munich could be numbered with his contract expiring next summer.

Managing director Hoeness has now moved forward to rubbish those reports.

"We never even thought about it [sacking him]. We knew right from the start that this campaign would be different and we are going through it together," insisted Hoeness.

Bayern needed a dramatic finish to come back from being 2-1 down to seal a late 3-2 win at Leverkusen on Saturday and Hoeness feels that this game could mark the turning-point of the whole season.

"We have the impression that the team has now understood what’s at stake and if they always play like they did on Saturday, Felix Magath might be around for another five years," claimed Hoeness.

The Bavarian giants are currently four points behind Stuttgart, but have the chance to reduce the gap to the Bundesliga table-toppers when they welcome Armin Veh’s team on Saturday.

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