Felix Magath - former Bayern coach - TalkSoccer

**Oliver_Kahn** · 18-09-2006, 06:01 PM

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It has been a mixed start to the season for FC Bayern München as coach Felix Magath fine-tunes his squad for another assault on the UEFA Champions League and Bundesliga titles. Defeat by DSC Arminia Bielefeld and injury to Owen Hargreaves have brought Bayern back to earth after their resounding 4-0 victory against FC Spartak Moskva, but Magath remains upbeat. uefa.com talks to the Bayern coach about his hopes, expectations, and the goal from his playing days that ensured a steady flow of champagne from Italy for life.

uefa.com: What are your goals this season?

Felix Magath: We want to successfully defend our Bundesliga title and the cup. We were very successful on the domestic front last year but were knocked out of the Champions League too early. We intend to do better this time.

uefa.com: After a busy summer in the transfer market are you pleased with the squad?

Magath: You could always want another good player, but I am very pleased with our signings and sure we have an effective team, capable of holding their own against any opponent in the [UEFA] Champions League. Losing Michael Ballack meant we had a rocky start in the Bundesliga, so we signed Mark van Bommel, who is capable of closing this gap.

uefa.com: How difficult is it for Bayern to compete in the transfer market with other European heavyweights?

Magath: There are certain differences. Italian, English and Spanish clubs get a lot more TV-money than we do in Germany so we cannot compete financially with them. Our policy has always been not to spend more than we take in and this policy has been quite successful. Bayern are one of the few clubs in Europe's elite which haven't gone into debt over the years.

uefa.com: Bayern are the club to beat in the Bundesliga. How do you cope with that pressure?

Magath: We feel it every time we play. Everyone wants to beat us, stadiums are always sold out and every club has their "match of the year" against us. It is difficult for our players; they have to do more than others. The pressure for us is higher than for other teams, but we can cope and I think we will be strong enough to do so again this year.

uefa.com: How difficult is it to balance playing in the UEFA Champions League and the Bundesliga at the same time?

Magath: We have a number of players who would be starters at other clubs, but are substitutes at Bayern. This is difficult to handle, but we have coped quite well. On the other hand it will cost us points in the Bundesliga, because the Champions League is more significant than the Bundesliga to the players. You don't always play Europe's elite; that's a huge challenge for every player.

uefa.com: Are there any matches you like to watch on video every so often?

Magath: I watch a lot of games during my daily routine, so I don't have much time to watch tapes from the old days. But of course, I like watching the [European Champion Clubs' Cup] final in Athens in 1983, when I scored the winner [for Hamburger SV against Juventus]. People often remind me of the goal, especially in Italy. They have not forgotten. Even today I receive presents from people who don't like Juventus; they give me bottles of champagne just because I scored against them.

uefa.com*-*UEFA Champions League*-*News & Features*-*News specific

**Oliver_Kahn** · 18-09-2006, 06:05 PM

Not a famous start for the German Champions this season, Bayern lost to Bremen in the Liga Pokal final and lost their first game in the Budesliga at the 4th day, but they started the Champions League well with a 4-0 home win versus Spartak Moscow, Bayern will play Inter Milan away in the next game.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 20-09-2006, 08:19 PM

Magath has been critised by Rummenigge and Oliver Kahn, I think he's days as Bayern coach are runing out.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 24-09-2006, 12:24 PM

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Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath has admitted he would be interested in taking control of the German national team. Joachim Loew was appointed to succeed Juergen Klinsmann in July as the German FA opted for continuity, though Magath admitted the post could interest him in the future.

He told German magazine Sportbild: “If anybody came to me and said ‘Herr Magath, we would like to have you as national team coach,' then I would have to think about it. At 60 years-old, that could be a goal for me. If I am healthy and fit then, then why shouldn't I do it?”

The 53 year-old has won consecutive league and cup doubles in his first two seasons at the Bavarian club, but has recently become frustrated by the lack of recognition for his success.

“I had thought that such a unique achievement as successfully defending a double would be a reason to celebrate – but there I appear to have been mistaken,” he lamented.

When the national job became available two years ago after the resignation of Rudi Völler, Magath's name was one of many put forward as a possible new coach. But the chess enthusiast elected to move from old club Stuttgart, to Bayern.

“It was never an issue for me, because I love getting out on the training field every day. But now I see things a little differently,” Magath revealed.

“I wouldn't contradict Uli Hoeness in his statement that the FC Bayern job is the nicest, but it is very energy-consuming. For that reason, I don't know if I could go on doing it for another six or seven years.”

http://www.eurosport.com/football/bu...to970277.shtml

**Oliver_Kahn** · 24-09-2006, 12:25 PM

Another Fvcking Ballack!
Why do people only care about money?!

bludhaven · 25-09-2006, 04:39 PM

Well thats true and in this age...they arent that many players driven for pride...I only hope this changes which is why many of my favourite players are loyal like Totti, Conti, Kahn, Maldini.
It is sad to see this happen though

**Oliver_Kahn** · 25-09-2006, 07:47 PM

Yes, now players only care about money.
I never saw Conti playing, but everyone says he was fantastic.

How's Roma doing so far ?

**Oliver_Kahn** · 27-09-2006, 09:03 PM

Magath might have saved his job untill the end of December, after beating Inter 2-0.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 30-09-2006, 11:36 PM

His place looks instable as Bayern lost to last place Wolfsburg today.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 01-10-2006, 11:17 AM

Reaction to Wolfsburg v Bayern:

Felix Magath: "We got at them from the start and spent most of our time in their half, but we failed to take our chances. After going a goal down, we never worked out how to cope with their robust defence. We always knew it would be tough, but we were still expecting a different outcome. In the second half, we switched play to the middle too prematurely to create chances."

**Oliver_Kahn** · 02-10-2006, 01:31 PM

Oliver Kahn is against Magath and he has power inside Bayern.
I think Magath should start thinking about leaving Bayern München.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 05-10-2006, 11:53 AM

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Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath has criticised strikers Roy Makaay and Lukas Podolski for lacking assertiveness. The pair have misfired this season, and were particularly disappointing in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to basement boys Wolfsburg.

"It has become clear what is not working for us this season. Our attack lacks the ability to assert itself," he told Sport Bild.

The Bundesliga champions have hit just six goals in seven league games this season, with the clubs leading goal-getters claiming only two between them.

Magath said the pair compared unfavourably with Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro, who has played in a more physical, combative style.

"Pizarro has many times more duels than Roy or Poldi," said Magath, who said he would give his under-fire players special training to improve that aspect of their game.

Despite their lacklustre performances, the Bavarians are involved in a five-way tussle for top spot in Germany, as one of many sides on ten points from six matches.

http://www.eurosport.com/football/bu...to978313.shtml

**Oliver_Kahn** · 05-10-2006, 11:55 AM

Another chapter of the story- "Magath loves Santa Cruz"

If Magath had given confidence to both strikers their performances would be much better.
I blame Magath for all of this.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 12-10-2006, 09:16 PM

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Daniel van Buyten was a shade behind schedule when he reported to the Säbener Strasse for training at twenty past four on Thursday afternoon, but the Belgian's arrival meant the first team squad was short of just one fit professional: Ali Karimi will be the club's final international to return from his midweek exertions when the Iran star flies back to Munich on Friday following a fixture in Taiwan.

With just 48 hours remaining until the top-of-the-table showdown against Hertha BSC Berlin, Bayern stepped up the pace of preparations on Thursday afternoon. Just two players – long-term injury casualties Valerien Ismael and Owen Hargreaves, both recovering from leg fractures - are out of contention as Felix Magath considers his options for Saturday's clash.

In search of renewed impetus

The Reds coach declined to reveal his line-up thoughts in advance of the home meeting with the current Bundesliga leaders, refusing to confirm a start for Lukas Podolski despite the youngster's gala two-goal display for Germany in Bratislava against Slovakia on Wednesday evening.

Magath is convinced his men will finally start firing on all cylinders in domestic competition from now on. "We've yet to benefit from a settled formation, as we've hardly had the opportunity for that up to now. I'm hoping we'll get into the groove from now on, and play more successfully than we have done so far."

Injury concern for visitors

For their part, the visitors from the German capital are determined to defend top spot in front of another sell-out crowd at the Allianz Arena, although Hertha supremo Falko Götz is definitely without creative inspiration Yildiray Bastürk (ligaments) and Brazilian World Cup star Gilberto (ankle).

Question-marks remain over Christian Gimenez (fitness) and keeper Christian Fiedler (back). The first-choice shot-stopper resumed training on Thursday, with striker Gimenez restricted to a light solo workout. "I'm still assuming they'll both be available for Munich," Götz commented.

http://www.fcbayern.t-com.de/en/news...3347f084f51704

**Oliver_Kahn** · 12-10-2006, 09:17 PM

Bayern better win or Magath can start looking for another job.