By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Felix Magath didn't want to waste any time after his successful rescue mission having secured Hertha's first-tier participation in a relegation battle against Hamburger SV (2-1 in aggregate).
Turning 69 in July, Magath announced to leave the Berlin side after two and a half months.
"This is it for me. The job is done and I go home now to chop some wood," Magath stated with a wink in his eyes.
The former Bayern coach seemed happy not having to attend the upcoming turbulent general assembly of the club and thinking about how to restructure a struggling squad that failed to deliver a convincing season despite huge investments.
"It was far from a satisfying season. To get things back on track is now the job of others," Magath said.
While Magath kept his shirt clean by never getting relegated in his career, the Berlin club is facing an uncertain future.
Internal struggles between club president Werner Gegenbauer and investor Lars Windhorst might lead to further unrest this Sunday. Many expect Gegenbauer to resign after 14 years in charge.
Finance chief Ingo Schiller is said to leave. Next to Schiller, managing director Fredi Bobic is under fire as Hertha's squad didn't meet expectations.
Instead of developing into what has been called a big city club, Hertha only narrowly escaped relegation.
"Stressful times of hard work are ahead of us," Bobic said, adding that he is expecting a troubled assembly. "We are all looking forward to having to face vast accusations this Sunday."
Bobic's predictions might come true as his job seems in danger.
The Hertha director announced he would start with rebuilding actions regarding the squad right away, but the outcome of the assembly might turn things upside down again.
While Magath called his job the most challenging of his career, he revealed experienced Prince Boateng was in charge of the line-up for the relegation second leg. "He told me to appoint experienced players and I am happy I listened to him," the departing coach said.
Boateng turned into his team's leader on the pitch, and the 35-year-old midfielder talked about consistent form as a must for the club to avoid further setbacks.
German media reported that former Dynamo Moscow coach Sandro Schwarz will possibly follow in Magath's footsteps on Hertha's bench.
Windhorst sent congratulations on social media in the first place praising the efforts of rescue worker Magath.
Needless to say, for the investor, it is highly disappointed to end up in relegation battle after having provided 375 million euros to promote the club.
Hertha has to set up a convincing plan for the future to not only please Windhorst but his fans as well. ■