By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 17 (Xinhua) -- With 24 points in the raffle in the eight remaining season games, former CSL coach Felix Magath started his rescue mission for struggling Hertha BSC.
Despite the huge task, the mood of the former Shandong Luneng Taishan coach couldn't be better. "All facts are on the table. Everyone knows what is at stake," Magath commented.
Worried fans, traveling to the club's training ground witness the new coach directing actions with a smiling face.
Ahead of the first challenge this Saturday when facing the TSG Hoffenheim, the 68-year-old follows a five-point plan to turn things around for the struggling side.
While the team's fitness seems satisfying, setting up a robust team spirit remains the new arrivals' most pressing issue.
The 2005 and 2006 double winner (Bayern and 2009 German champion Wolfsburg) has implemented measures for several fields.
Next to discipline updates, Magath is trying to find players taking over the team's leadership.
Fines for latecomers around training sessions and team meetings have been raised to 500 euros per minute. Being late for ten minutes from now on is 5,000 euros.
"Discipline is the base of every team-sport. A group needs to move united in the direction of regaining success," Magath said.
The new Hertha coach announced to be on duty 24/7 as he has reportedly taken up intense talks with players and staff.
Facing Hoffenheim will be Magath's 496th first-tier game coming along with a wide range of experience.
"If someone can make it and keep Hertha in the Bundesliga, it is him," former Bulgarian international and VfB Stuttgart icon Krassimir Balakov stated.
The 2007 German champion added: "Magath wouldn't do the job if he wouldn't see a realistic chance to succeed." The Hertha coach has been all that comes with professional football, he added. "He has done it before," Balakov said.
In 2006 Magath took over Shandong as the tables last and ended up sixth. He rescued Stuttgart and Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
Former Freiburg coach Volker Finke said, if Magath manages to get the majority of the squad behind the line, "it is possible to achieve the turnaround."
The former midfielder and 1977 European Cup winner is eying additional training camps with his team intends to reduce the number of conceived goals (60) after only 26 rounds of matches.
Magath's mission is limited to the remaining games as it seems a done deal that the Berlin club is looking for a new coach after the 2021/2022 season.
Despite being through a burn-out stage some years ago and his advanced age, Magath said he still loves football as "I am not useful in any other job. I am a footballer and have always been, I want football and I love football."
Due to the club's ongoing financial turbulences despite an investment of 375 million euros over the past years, being relegated might cause further problems.
CEO Fredi Bobic is under fire due to a failing transfer policy.
The alarming situation turns Magath's job into a do-or-die issue. ■
