Felix Magath

Born near Aschaffenburg, Magath started his career playing for local club Viktoria Aschaffenburg. From 1974 to 1976, he played for 1. FC Saarbrücken, at that time in the second division, before moving to Hamburger SV in the top flight. He spent the following ten seasons with Hamburg, and from his debut in 1976 to his retirement he scored 46 goals in 306 games in the West German top flight.{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/players/magathdata.html | title = Felix Magath – Matches and Goals in Bundesliga | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 1 October 2015 | access-date = 16 October 2015 | publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}

In 1983, Magath led Hamburg to success in the European Cup, scoring the single goal in the final against Juventus;{{cite web | url = http://www.11freunde.de/artikel/europapokal-1983-hsv-juventus-10 | title = Ein Abend in Athen | language = de | publisher = 11Freunde.de | date = 7 February 2011 | access-date = 3 May 2014}} in 1980–81, he netted a career-best (in the first division) ten goals, helping his side to a runner-up league spot, as Hamburg also won the league in three years during that time.{{cite web | url = http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/magathfelix/ | title = Felix Magath | language = de | publisher = fussballdaten.de | access-date = 3 May 2014}}

Magath also represented the West Germany national team at many international events, including the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, helping West Germany finish in second place both times.{{cite web | url = https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=174724/index.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080620010509/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=174724/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 20 June 2008 | title = Felix MAGATH | publisher = FIFA| access-date = 3 May 2014}} He was also part of the squad that won the 1980 UEFA European Championship.{{cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/3574--west-germany-vs-netherlands/ | title = Allofs hat-trick sees off Dutch | publisher = UEFA| date = 4 October 2003 | access-date = 3 May 2014 }} Magath made his debut on 30 April 1977, in a 2–1 friendly win with Yugoslavia, and went on to amass 43 caps, with three goals.{{Cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/magath-intl.html | title = Felix Wolfgang Magath – International Appearances | first = Matthias | last = Arnhold | date = 1 October 2015 | access-date = 16 October 2015 | publisher = Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation}}

A talented, creative, and intelligent diminutive playmaker, with an eye for goal, Magath normally played either as an attacking or central midfielder, and was an elegant player on the ball, who possessed excellent technical skills, vision, and stamina, despite his lack of significant pace and his stocky physique. He was also a strong passer and striker of the ball with his left foot,{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/felix-magath-torn-between-hamburg-past-and-hertha-berlin-present-play-off-19982 |title=Felix Magath: a man torn between Hamburg past and Hertha Berlin present |publisher=bundesliga.com |access-date=25 September 2023 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/coppa_campioni/coppa_campioni_82_83.html|title=Coppa dei Campioni 1982/83: Amburgo|trans-title=1982/83 European Cup: Hamburg|publisher=Storie di Calcio|language=it|access-date=25 May 2016|archive-date=2 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602015510/http://www.storiedicalcio.altervista.org/coppa_campioni/coppa_campioni_82_83.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/felix-magath_%28Enciclopedia-dello-Sport%29/ |title=MAGATH, Felix in "Enciclopedia dello Sport" |publisher=www.treccani.it |language=it-IT |access-date=25 September 2023 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01bd-0ea89b7da8e5-ef57788d98f7-1000--magath-out-hitzfeld-in-at-bayern/ |title=Magath out, Hitzfeld in at Bayern |publisher=UEFA |date=31 January 2007 |access-date=25 September 2023 }} and stood out for his work-rate on the pitch, as well as his ability to interpret the game.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-germany-hsv-stars-factbox-idUKKCN1ID0MJ |title=Factbox - Hamburg SV's greatest players |work=Reuters |date=12 May 2018 |access-date=25 September 2023 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/best-number-10s-robben-netzer-matthaus-24578 |title=60 years of the Bundesliga: The best number 10s |publisher=bundesliga.com |access-date=25 September 2023 }} Considered to be a decisive player,{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/can-felix-magath-save-hertha-berlin-from-relegation-19236 |title=Felix Magath: Can the seasoned taskmaster save Hertha Berlin from relegation? |publisher=bundesliga.com |access-date=25 September 2023 }} he is rated by pudits as one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the Bundesliga.{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1781626-20-greatest-bundesliga-midfielders-of-all-time |title=20 Greatest Bundesliga Midfielders of All Time |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Whitney |first1=Clark |date=23 September 2013 |access-date=25 September 2023 }}

Having suffered a career-ending knee injury, Magath retired shortly after the 1986 World Cup and became general manager for his former club Hamburg. He left Hamburg in June 1988 after moderate success. His next stints as general manager included then 2. Bundesliga, side 1. FC Saarbrücken (November 1989 to June 1990), as well as Bayer Uerdingen (July 1990 to January 1992), who were relegated from the first tier during Magath's time at the club.{{cite web | url = http://www.focus.de/sport/mehrsport/fussball-steckbrief-die-karriere-von-felix-magath_aid_606878.html | title = Steckbrief: Die Karriere von Felix Magath | language = de | publisher = Focus | date = 9 March 2011 | access-date = 4 May 2014 | first = Jörg | last = Schiffmann| work = FOCUS Online }}

Magath took up coaching in 1992 as a player-coach for the fourth-tier club FC Bremerhaven, which he led to division championship.{{cite web | url = http://www.nwzonline.de/fussball/magath-scheuchte-bremerhaven-zum-titel_a_13,5,3457074354.html | title = Magath scheuchte Bremerhaven zum Titel | language = de | publisher = NWZ Online | date = 19 February 2014 | access-date = 4 May 2014 | first = Hauke | last = Richters}}{{cite web|title=Felix Magath|url=https://www.kicker.de/felix-magath/trainer|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de}} He then rejoined Hamburger SV as reserves coach in 1993,{{cite web|title=Hamburger SV II " Trainerhistorie|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/hamburger-sv-ii/9/|publisher=World Football|access-date=16 January 2014}} and became manager Benno Möhlmann's assistant soon after. Magath succeeded Möhlmann as manager after the latter was sacked in October 1995.{{cite web | url = http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/archiv/felix-magath--arbeit-auf-bewaehrung,10810590,9015080.html | title = Felix Magath: Arbeit auf Bewährung | language = de | work = Berliner Zeitung | date = 7 October 1995 | access-date = 4 May 2014 | first = Jörg | last = Schiffmann}} His first match was a 2–2 draw against 1860 Munich.{{cite web|title=Hamburger SV|url=https://www.kicker.de/hamburger-sv/spielplan/bundesliga/1995-96|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016}} Having reached the UEFA Cup during his first season, Hamburg finished in fifth place.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/1995-96/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016|language=de}} The following season as disappointing 15th{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/1996-97/32/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016|language=de}} at the time Magath was sacked.{{cite web | url = http://www.abendblatt.de/sport/fussball/hsv/article124713935/So-hat-Uwe-Seeler-den-Trainer-Felix-Magath-gefeuert.html | title = So hat Uwe Seeler den Trainer Felix Magath gefeuert | language = de | publisher = Hamburger Abendblatt | date = 10 February 2014 | access-date = 4 May 2014 | first = Christoph | last = Rybarczyk}} His final match was a 4–0 loss to 1. FC Köln.{{cite web|title=Hamburger SV|url=https://www.kicker.de/hamburger-sv/spielplan/bundesliga/1996-97|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016|language=de}} He finished with a record of 28 wins, 19 draws, and 22 losses.{{cite web|title=Hamburger SV|url=https://www.kicker.de/hamburger-sv/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130234135/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/hamburger-sv-12/trainer.html|archive-date=30 November 2013|url-status=live}}

In the following years, Magath acquired a reputation as the fireman,{{cite news|title=Magath confident of another Houdini act|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/284113.html|access-date=19 February 2014|newspaper=ESPN UK|date=17 February 2014|archive-date=27 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227070422/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/284113.html|url-status=dead}} coming in at difficult times at a club and leading it to salvation. In September 1997, he took over 1. FC Nürnberg who were newly promoted to the 2. Bundesliga and fighting relegation. His first match was a 0–0 draw against KFC Uerdingen 05.{{cite web|title=1. FC Nürnberg|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-nuernberg/spielplan/2-bundesliga/1997-98|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016|language=de}} Der Club finished the season in third–place,{{cite web|title=2. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/2-bundesliga/spieltag/1997-98/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016|language=de}} meaning promotion to the Bundesliga, but Magath left due to differences in opinion with the club president Michael A. Roth.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}} He finished with a record of 16 wins, eight draws, and five losses.{{cite web|title=1. FC Nürnberg|url=https://www.kicker.de/1-fc-nuernberg/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106111519/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/1-fc-nuernberg-81/trainer.html|archive-date=6 January 2015|url-status=live}} During a short stint at Werder Bremen during the 1998–99 season, Magath lead the club out of relegation places, only for Bremen to find themselves in the relegation dogfight again with two games to go. At this point he was replaced as manager by Thomas Schaaf who helped them avoid relegation by a point. Magath also helped Bremen get to the final of the DFB-Pokal however he was sacked before the final itself, which Bremen won in his absence.{{cite web|url=https://www.newstalk.com/sport/its-all-going-wrong-for-europes-greatest-oneclub-boss-729773 |title=It's all going wrong for Europe's greatest one club boss|publisher=newstalk.com |date=10 May 2013|access-date=28 November 2019}} He had nine wins, seven draws, and ten losses.{{cite web|title=Werder Bremen|url=https://www.kicker.de/werder-bremen/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004164929/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/werder-bremen-4/trainer.html|archive-date=4 October 2013|url-status=live}} Halfway through the 1999–00 season, Magath joined troubled Eintracht Frankfurt.{{cite web|title=Eintracht Frankfurt|url=https://www.kicker.de/eintracht-frankfurt/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111033/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/eintracht-frankfurt-32/trainer.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}} An impressive Magath-inspired run saw Frankfurt finish the second round as third best{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/tabelle-hinrunde-rueckrunde/1999-00/34|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016|language=de}} and four points off relegation.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/1999-00/34/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016|language=de}} Magath was sacked the season after (29 January 2001) when Frankfurt found themselves in the relegation zone.{{cite web|title=1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle|url=https://www.kicker.de/bundesliga/spieltag/2000-01/19/0|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016|language=de}} His last match was a 5–1 loss to Köln.{{cite web|title=Eintracht Frankfurt|url=https://www.kicker.de/eintracht-frankfurt/spielplan/bundesliga/2000-01|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 December 2016|language=de}} He finished with record of 15 wins, five draws, and 17 losses.

file:Antwerpes-Magath.jpg]]

Magath bounced back with what was to become one of his most successful stints when he took over fellow relegation battlers VfB Stuttgart a few weeks after. Having narrowly avoided relegation in 2001, Stuttgart finished the 2001–02 in a mid-table position. The club went then on to become 2002–03 Bundesliga runners-up and finished the 2003–04 season as respectable fourth. During this time, Magath also introduced a group of players from the Stuttgart youth ranks, such as Timo Hildebrand, Andreas Hinkel and Kevin Kurányi, who became known as "die jungen Wilden" (wild youth). The Stuttgart stint was also the first time Magath combined the head coach and the director of football roles.{{cite web | url = http://www.goal.com/de/news/3642/editorial/2012/07/19/3250515/felix-magath-auf-einkaufstour-diese-transferknaller-zahlten-sich- | title = Felix Magath auf Einkaufstour: Diese Transferknaller zahlten sich sportlich und finanziell aus | language = de | work = Goal (website) | date = 19 July 2012 | access-date = 4 May 2014}} He finished with a record of 73 wins, 37 draws, and 37 losses.{{cite web|title=VfB Stuttgart|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfb-stuttgart/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228194253/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/vfb-stuttgart-11/trainer.html|archive-date=28 February 2014|url-status=live}}

Having impressed with Stuttgart, Magath was handed the FC Bayern Munich job on 1 July 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=180483.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025161928/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=180483.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2012|title=Magath answers Bayern call|publisher=UEFA|date=19 May 2004|access-date=13 September 2009}} In his first season, Magath was able to lead his team to victory in both the league and cup, completing the double, a feat which would be repeated in 2005–06, the first time ever in the competition's history.{{cite web | url = http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/magath-dachte-bereits-an-ruecktritt-aid-1.1658242 | title = Magath dachte bereits an Rücktritt | language = de | publisher = RP Online | date = 7 February 2007 | access-date = 12 May 2014}}

However, after a slow start to the 2006–07 season, with the team mired in fourth place which would not qualify them for the Champions League, Magath was sacked on 31 January 2007.{{cite news|title=Hitzfeld beerbt Magath|url=https://www.kicker.de/hitzfeld-beerbt-magath-360934/artikel|access-date=14 February 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=31 January 2007|language=de}} He finished with a record of 84 wins, 25 draws, and 22 losses.{{cite web|title=Bayern München – Trainerhistorie|url=https://www.kicker.de/fc-bayern-muenchen/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107231835/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/bayern-muenchen-14/trainer.html|archive-date=7 January 2015|url-status=live}}

File:Felix Magath bei einer Pressekonferenz des VfL Wolfsburg (cropped).JPG in 2011]]

In June 2007, Magath signed a contract with VfL Wolfsburg,{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=545263.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025161946/http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/news/newsid=545263.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2012|title=Magath handed power at Wolfsburg|publisher=UEFA|date=31 May 2007|access-date=13 September 2009}} as head coach and director of football. Magath lead the Wolves to play in the 2008–09 UEFA Cup and the following season's Champions League, the latter as league champions for the first time. He finished with a record of 46 wins, 18 draws, and 21 losses.{{cite web|title=VfL Wolfsburg|url=https://www.kicker.de/vfl-wolfsburg/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207153820/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/vfl-wolfsburg-24/trainer.html|archive-date=7 December 2013|url-status=live}}

Before the season 2008–09 had ended, Magath agreed on a four-year contract with Schalke 04, again as both head coach and director of football, starting on 1 July 2009.{{cite news|title=Vertrag bis 2013: Magath übernimmt Schalke 04|url=https://www.kicker.de/vertrag-bis-2013_magath-uebernimmt-schalke-04-508249/artikel|access-date=14 February 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=6 May 2009|language=de}} Schalke finished Magath's first season in charge as runners-up, but after a series of disappointing domestic performances and growing player discontent,{{cite news|title=Magath und Schalke: Schlammschlacht droht|url=https://www.kicker.de/magath-und-schalke_schlammschlacht-droht-549946/artikel|access-date=14 February 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=17 March 2011|language=de}} Magath was sacked by Schalke in March 2011.{{cite news|title=S04 entlässt Magath – Rangnick bestätigt Gespräche|url=https://www.kicker.de/s04-entlaesst-magath---rangnick-bestaetigt-gespraeche-549900/artikel|access-date=14 February 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=16 March 2011|language=de}} the following day, Magath claimed that he had not been informed of his dismissal. He finished with a record of 42 wins, 16 draws, and 21 losses.{{cite web|title=FC Schalke 04|url=https://www.kicker.de/fc-schalke-04/team-trainer/bundesliga/2013-14|publisher=kicker|access-date=16 January 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313103523/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/vereine/1-bundesliga/2013-14/fc-schalke-04-2/trainer.html|archive-date=13 March 2014|url-status=live}}

file:Magath Farfan.jpg]]

Only 48 hours later, on 18 March, Magath once again signed with now relegation-battling VfL Wolfsburg,{{cite news|title=Wahnsinn in Reinform: Magath soll Wölfe retten|url=https://www.kicker.de/wahnsinn-in-reinform_magath-soll-woelfe-retten-549985/artikel|access-date=14 February 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=18 March 2011|language=de}} the side he had previously led to the league title in 2009. Magath steered the club to safety, avoiding the relegation play–off by two points, but though the club invested heavily, Magath could only achieve a mid-table finish in the following 2011–12 season. After only five points in eight matches (and no goals and points in the last four games) in the 2012–13 season, Magath left the club by mutual consent on 25 October 2012.{{cite news|title=Magath-Trennung besiegelt – Köstner übernimmt|url=https://www.kicker.de/magath-trennung-besiegelt---koestner-uebernimmt-576766/artikel|access-date=14 February 2014|newspaper=kicker|date=25 October 2012|language=de}} He finished with a record of 18 wins, 10 draws, and 24 losses.

On 14 February 2014, Fulham released a statement that Magath would be their new first team manager effective immediately on an eighteen-month contract.{{cite news|title=Fulham hire Felix Magath after sacking Rene Meulensteen|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26200035|access-date=14 February 2014|newspaper=BBC Sports|date=14 February 2014}} Magath brought in Tomas Oral as first team coach and Werner Leuthard as the person in charge of conditioning while the club dismissed manager Rene Meulensteen, assistant coach Ray Wilkins, technical director Alan Curbishley, and first team coaches Mick Priest and Jonathan Hill.{{cite news |last1=Pangallo |first1=Mark |title=Fulham sack five, hire two in Magath shake up |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-england-fulham/fulham-sack-five-hire-two-in-magath-shake-up-idUKL6N0LN4L720140218 |access-date=15 January 2021 |work=Reuters |date=18 February 2014}} The role was Magath's first in two years and at the time his only venture outside of his native Germany. Magath believed that he could save Fulham from relegation and that 12 matches was enough to save the club. Fulham played their first match under Magath on 22 February 2014.{{cite news|title=West Brom 1 1 Fulham|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26202590|access-date=22 February 2014|publisher=BBC|date=22 February 2014}} The match ended in a 1–1 draw with Ashkan Dejagah, Magath's former player at VfL Wolfsburg, being the first Fulham goalscorer of Magath's tenure.

On 15 March, Fulham won their first match with Magath in charge against Newcastle United, with Dejagah being the lone scorer.{{cite news|title=Fulham 1 0 Newcastle|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26493211|access-date=31 March 2014|newspaper=BBC Sports|date=15 March 2014}} Magath picked up four points from his first six matches and answered questions about a potential resignation.{{cite news|last=Nordmann|first=Nils|title=Felix Magath wird schon nach Rücktritt gefragt|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/internationale-ligen/article126404375/Felix-Magath-wird-schon-nach-Ruecktritt-gefragt.html|access-date=31 March 2014|newspaper=Die Welt|date=31 March 2014|language=de}} On 3 May 2014, Fulham were relegated from the Premier League after a 4–1 loss to Stoke City.{{cite news|last=Chowdhury|first=Saj|title=Stoke 4 1 Fulham|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27168529|access-date=3 May 2014|publisher=BBC|date=3 May 2014}} Magath believed that Fulham could earn immediate promotion.{{cite news|title=Felix Magath – Fulham boss convinced side can win promotion|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28881324|access-date=21 August 2014|work=BBC Sports|date=21 August 2014}} He started the 2014–15 season with four consecutive losses to Ipswich Town,{{cite news|last=Emons|first=Michael|title=Ipswich 2 1 Fulham|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28646535|access-date=21 August 2014|work=BBC Sports|date=9 August 2014}} Millwall,{{cite news|title=Fulham 0 1 Millwall|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28716431|access-date=21 August 2014|work=BBC Sports|date=16 August 2014}} Wolverhampton Wanderers{{cite news|title=Fulham 0 1 Wolves|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28767650|access-date=21 August 2014|work=BBC Sports|date=20 August 2014}} and Derby County.{{cite news|title=Derby 5 1 Fulham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28815106|access-date=23 August 2014|work=BBC Sports|date=23 August 2014}} On 18 September 2014 Magath was sacked as Fulham manager after a run of eleven league games without a win.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29261059|title=Felix Magath: Struggling Fulham sack boss|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 September 2014}} He finished with a record of four wins, four draws, and 12 losses.{{cite web|title=Felix Magath|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1684|website=Soccerbase.com|publisher=CENTURYCOMM LIMITED|access-date=21 August 2014}}

After Gerald Baumgartner was sacked by Austria Wien,{{cite news|title="Sehr gefährdet": Austria feuert Baumgartner|url=https://www.kicker.de/sehr-gefaehrdet_austria-feuert-baumgartner-623579/artikel|access-date=22 May 2015|publisher=kicker|date=22 March 2015|language=de}} Magath eventually became the "preferred" choice.{{cite news|title=Austria: Thriller um Magath|url=http://sport.oe24.at/fussball/fussball-national/bundesliga/Austria-Thriller-um-Magath/189470173|access-date=22 May 2015|publisher=Österreich|date=22 May 2015|language=de}} Spartak Moscow also offered Magath a contract. Thorsten Fink{{cite news|title=Absage an 96: Fink übernimmt Austria Wien|url=https://www.kicker.de/absage-an-96_fink-uebernimmt-austria-wien-628041/artikel|access-date=8 June 2016|publisher=kicker|date=28 May 2015|language=de}} and Dmitriy Alenichev{{cite web|title=Spartak Moskva " Manager history|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/spartak-moskva/9/|publisher=World Football|access-date=8 June 2016}} took the coaching jobs. He eventually took the job at Shandong Luneng Taishan, replacing former Brazil national football team manager Mano Menezes.{{cite news|title=Felix Magath zieht es nach China|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/basketball-curry-verzichtet-auf-olympia-1.3025132|access-date=8 June 2016|work=Süddeutsche Zeitung|date=8 June 2016|language=de}} He took the job on 8 June 2016. He made his debut on 12 June 2016 in a 2–1 loss against Hebei China Fortune.{{cite web|title=Shandong Luneng Taishan|url=https://www.kicker.de/shandong-luneng-taishan/spielplan/china-super-league/2016|website=Kicker|publisher=kicker|access-date=13 June 2016|language=de}} His first win was a 2–1 win against Jiangsu Suning on 9 July 2016. Four days later, he got his second win against Shijiazhuang Ever Bright, a 4–0 win.

He led Shandong throughout the 2017 Chinese Super League, finishing 6th, but left the club shortly after the end of the season.{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/magath-latest-big-name-foreign-coach-leave-chinese-054919089.html |title=Magath latest big-name foreign coach to leave Chinese club |publisher=Yahoo Sports |date=1 December 2017 |access-date=9 July 2020 |archive-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314072008/https://sports.yahoo.com/magath-latest-big-name-foreign-coach-leave-chinese-054919089.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|title=Magath beendet China-Abenteuer – sofort frei für neuen Job|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article171148358/Magath-beendet-China-Abenteuer-sofort-frei-fuer-neuen-Job.html|access-date=1 December 2017|work=Die Welt|date=1 December 2017|language=de}}{{cite web|title=China " Super League 2017 " 30. Round|url=http://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/chn-super-league-2017-spieltag/30/|publisher=World Football|access-date=1 December 2017}}

In January 2020, Magath revealed that his time as a coach was over and that he wanted to "help football in a different way". In step with this, he introduced himself as the new boss of FLYERALARM Global Soccer. Magath became responsible for FLYERALARM's commitment to the clubs Würzburger Kickers in Germany and Flyeralarm Admira, formerly known as FC Admira Wacker Mödling.{{cite web | url = https://media-channel.flyeralarm.com/felix-magath-wird-chef-von-flyeralarm-global-soccer | title = Felix Magath wird Chef von FLYERALARM Global Soccer | language = de | website = flyeralarm.com | date = 20 January 2020 | access-date = 4 October 2020 | last1 = Pester | first1 = Anne }}{{cite web | url = https://www.sport1.de/fussball/2020/01/felix-magath-beendet-karriere-als-trainer-und-betreut-drittligisten | title = Das macht Felix Magath heute | language = de | website = Sport1.de | date = 21 August 2020 | access-date = 4 October 2020}}

On 13 March 2022, Magath became Hertha BSC's third head coach of the 2021–22 season after he replaced Tayfun Korkut, who had replaced Pál Dárdai in November 2021.{{cite news |title=Bundesliga: Felix Magath to replace Tayfun Korkut at Hertha Berlin |url=https://www.dw.com/en/bundesliga-felix-magath-to-replace-tayfun-korkut-at-hertha-berlin/a-61111175 |access-date=2 April 2022 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |date=13 March 2022}} On 17 March 2022, Magath tested positive for COVID-19{{cite news |title=Soccer-Hertha's new coach Magath tests positive for COVID-19 |url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn/soccer-herthas-new-coach-magath-tests-positive-for-covid-19 |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=Reuter |publisher=National Post |date=17 March 2022}} and had to postpone his debut match.{{cite news |title=Drei Standardsituationen bescheren Hertha einen Sieg des Willens |url=https://www.kicker.de/hertha-gegen-hoffenheim-2022-bundesliga-4721734/analyse |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=kicker |publisher=Olympia Verlag |date=19 March 2022 |language=German}}

As a manager, Magath quickly gained respect and became known for his hard, grinding training methods, laying heavy emphasis on discipline, fitness and conditioning. Players gave him nicknames like "Saddam" (Saddam Hussein) or "Quälix",{{cite news|title=Deshalb passt Magath nicht zur Austria|url=http://sport.oe24.at/fussball/fussball-national/bundesliga/5-Gruende-wieso-Magath-nicht-zur-Austria-passt/189188932|access-date=22 May 2015|publisher=Österreich|date=20 May 2015|language=de}} a portmanteau of his first name Felix and the German verb "quälen" (to torture).{{cite web|url=http://sport.ard.de/sp/fussball/news200305/26/rueckblick_magath.jhtml|title="Quälix" wird zum Pädagogen|trans-title="Quälix" turns pedagogue|publisher=Sport.ard|author=Michael Schreiber|date=26 May 2003|access-date=11 February 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929134823/http://sport.ard.de/sp/fussball/news200305/26/rueckblick_magath.jhtml|archive-date=29 September 2007}} His methods have also been considered to be controversial in the media, however.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/felix-magath-mad-or-messiah-fulham-s-new-manager-has-a-fierce-reputation-as-a-football-dictator-but-his-controversial-methods-get-results-in-the-short-term-9131158.html |title=Felix Magath: Mad or messiah? Fulham's new manager has a fierce |work=The Independent |last1=Rich |first1=Tim |date=18 February 2014 |access-date=25 September 2023 }} He was once described by former Eintracht Frankfurt player Bachirou Salou as the "last dictator in Europe".{{cite web | url=http://www.rp-online.de/sport/fussball/salou-magath-wie-diktator-1.1676238 | title=Salou: Magath wie Diktator | work=Rheinische Post | language=de | date=5 January 2001 | access-date=21 October 2012}}

After leaving Fulham in September 2014, bizarre stories emerged about how Magath had suggested that Brede Hangeland rub cheese on a thigh injury.{{cite news|title=Felix Magath cheese cure: Former Fulham manager admits telling Brede Hangeland to use bizarre treatment|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/felix-magath-cheese-cure-former-fulham-manager-admits-telling-brede-hangeland-to-use-bizarre-treatment-9750312.html|access-date=24 September 2014|work=The Independent|date= 23 September 2014}} Magath stated that Hangeland did not have a thigh injury but an inflammation of the knee, and that he suggested the additional use of an alternative treatment with a bandage (dressing) consisting of Quark.{{cite web | url = http://www.sport1.de/de/fussball/fus_international/fussball_international_premierleague/newspage_956477.html | title = Magath: Käse-Geschichte Quatsch | language = de | publisher = sport1.de | date = 22 September 2014 | access-date = 11 December 2014}} Fulham player Sascha Riether later said that the story was greatly exaggerated and that Magath had suggested he use a traditional topfen curd.{{cite web | url = http://www.express.de/fc-koeln/rueckkehr-zum-1--fc-koeln-sascha-riether--mit-rueckenwind-nach-koeln,3192,28901526.html | title = Sascha Riether: Mit Rückenwind nach Köln | language = de | publisher = express.de | date = 30 October 2014 | access-date = 1 November 2014 | first = Markus | last = Krücken}}{{cite web | url = http://www.netdoktor.de/Gesund-Leben/Heilpflanzen+Hausmittel/Wissen/Quarkauflage-10211.html | title = Quarkauflage | language = de | publisher = NetDoktor | date = 10 December 2012 | access-date = 1 November 2014 | first = Katharina | last = Larisch}}{{cite web | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna35444182 | title = Lindsey Vonn's cheese cure baffles experts | publisher = NBC News | date = 17 February 2010 | access-date = 1 November 2014}}

File:Hund,Isabel Magath,Felix 1985 Hamburg.jpg

Magath is the son of a Puerto Rican former soldier in the United States Army stationed in Aschaffenburg and a German mother.{{cite web | url = http://suite101.de/article/felix-magath-eine-biografie-des-erfolges-und-der-kritik-a107261 | title = Felix Magath: eine Biografie des Erfolges und der Kritik | language = de | publisher = suite101.de | date = 4 July 2013 | access-date = 4 May 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140504224833/http://suite101.de/article/felix-magath-eine-biografie-des-erfolges-und-der-kritik-a107261 | archive-date = 4 May 2014}} In 1954, Magath's father abandoned Magath and his mother to return to his homeland. The adolescent Magath first heard from his father when he was 15 years old, after he wrote a letter to Puerto Rico.

Magath is also a chess enthusiast, an interest which he developed during the 1978 World Chess Championship while he was bedridden due to hepatitis.{{cite web|title=This season's dark horses|url=http://espnfc.com/columns/story?id=279854&root=europe&cc=5739|first=Uli|last=Hesse-Lichtenberger|publisher=ESPN|date=8 October 2003|access-date=15 June 2013}} In 1985, he played in a simultaneous exhibition against Garry Kasparov.{{cite news|title=Partien zugleich: 10 Sekunden pro Zug|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-13514177.html|newspaper=Der Spiegel|language=de|access-date=15 June 2013|date=10 June 1985}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|matches played on 23 May 2022}}

Hamburger SV{{cite web | url = http://www.fussballdaten.de/spieler/magathfelix/2014/ | title = Felix Magath | language = de | publisher = fussballdaten.de | access-date = 20 August 2014}}

• Bundesliga: 1978–79, 1981–82, 1982–83
• European Cup: 1982–83
• European Cup Winners' Cup: 1976–77
• European Super Cup runner-up: 1977, 1983
• UEFA Cup runner-up: 1981–82

West Germany

• UEFA European Championship: 1980
• FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1982, 1986

Individual

• kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 1981–82, 1982–83{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/198182/startseite.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018212315/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/198182/startseite.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2012|title=Bundesliga Historie 1981/82|language=de|publisher=kicker}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/198283/startseite.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018212319/http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/bl50/198283/startseite.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2012|title=Bundesliga Historie 1982/83|language=de|publisher=kicker}}

• 1983 Ballon d'Or: 5th place

VfB Stuttgart{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/stuttgart-gegen-lille-2002-uefa-intertoto-cup-582058/analyse | title = Kuranyi köpft den VfB in den UEFA-Cup | language = de | publisher = Kicker | access-date = 20 August 2014}}

• UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2002

Bayern Munich{{cite web | url = https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/felix-magath/110748/ | title = F. Magath | publisher = Soccerway | access-date = 21 August 2014}}

• Bundesliga: 2004–05, 2005–06
• DFB-Pokal: 2004–05, 2005–06
• DFB-Ligapokal: 2004

VfL Wolfsburg

• Bundesliga: 2008–09

Individual

• German Football Manager of the Year: 2003, 2005, 2009{{cite web | url = https://www.kicker.de/trainer-des-jahres-seit-2002_die-siegerliste-540829/artikel | title = Trainer des Jahres seit 2002: Die Siegerliste | language = de | publisher = Kicker | access-date = 10 December 2018}}

• List of Puerto Ricans

{{Portal bar|Biography}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Fussballdaten}}
• {{WorldFootball.net}}
• {{NFT player}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Magath, Felix}}

Category:1953 births

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