By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Felix Magath is a man of unnegotiable principles. During every football season, alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited for him.
Not even for his birthday, the former Chinese Super League coach is allowing any exceptions as his great day on July 26 mostly fell into the pre-season preparation time with his teams.
When gathering with media and club officials for a brief birthday greeting, Magath raised a glass of water while all others enjoyed a sip of sparkling wine.
Professionalism requires discipline, he explained and added how important it is to stay fit.
The 68-year-old might be well advised to stick to his principles after surprisingly returning to the German Bundesliga after an absence of ten years as a rescue worker for struggling Hertha BSC.
His new job appears like the most challenging task of his career as only eight rounds of matches remain for the successor of sacked Tayfun Korkut.
In danger of relegation, the wavering side's managing director Fredi Bobic remembered Magath's successful past when the former German international managed to keep the Hamburger SV, Eintracht Frankfurt, the VfB Stuttgart, and the VfL Wolfsburg in the first tier.
Magath's reputation to be one of football's hardest disciplinarians might have played a role as his past actions remain unforgotten.
In Wolfsburg, he invented the "mount Magath", a combination of a steep hill with 20 percent gradient and concrete stairs of different sizes for hardest up-hill training.
Magath's appointment came as a surprise as the list of candidates had been long without containing his name. The club's web page collapsed, the tabloid Bild reported.
Thousands of fans couldn't believe the breaking news and were seeking official confirmation.
The former Shandong Luneng Taishan (2016 - 2017) coaches' titles with Bayern in 2005 and 2006 and the national championship with Wolfsburg in 2009 remain a side effect for Hertha after the club failed to gain ground after investments of 375 million euros by an investor.
Magath's temporary mission is simply to save what can be saved.
Most media and fans spoke of a desperate step by the Berlin side.
Hertha's players not only face the first game under Magath this Saturday against the TSG Hoffenheim, but intense training over the upcoming weeks.
With Magath, under-fire manager Bobic is pulling his last trump card while the newly appointed coach is talking about strict discipline and duty around the clock to reach the ambitious goal.
The most pressing issue for Hertha's new arrival seems to set up a well-oiled team developing the required fighting- and team spirit.
"Everyone should be aware of what is ahead of us. Together with Fredi Bobic, we analyzed the club's unpleasant situation," Magath stated.
The new man called for fans' support and spoke of the first of eight finals ahead this Saturday. If successful or not against Hoffenheim. Hertha again managed to rule the headlines. This time not driven by mismanagement or scandals but with the face of one of Germany's most disputed coaches. ■
