Fulham Football Club today announced the hiring of Felix Magath as First Team Manager, effective immediately.
The announcement was made jointly by Chairman Shahid Khan and CEO Alistair Mackintosh. Magath receives an 18-month contract. An announcement on the Fulham backroom staff will be made in the near future.
Statement from Shahid Khan
"I am very happy to welcome Felix Magath to Fulham Football Club. Felix is an accomplished manager with multiple honours in the Bundesliga and a hunger to replicate his success with Fulham in the Barclays Premier League. I'm especially impressed with the reputation Felix has for coming into clubs at difficult times, often late in the season, and lifting them to their potential and beyond. Felix knows that is precisely the task awaiting him at Fulham, and he made it abundantly clear that he wants and is ready for the opportunity.
"Our Club has shown promise in recent matches, but the fact is we have not won a league match since January 1. Given our form, we can no longer merely hope that our fortunes will finally turn. And with 12 matches remaining and at least four points separating us from safety, we certainly can no longer post empty results. Action was required.
"Alistair Mackintosh did a wonderful job during the January transfer window to improve our Club. This week, Alistair recommended Felix, with his history of producing results for Clubs with similar challenges as ours, as the new manager of Fulham. Alistair's recommendation received my complete approval and Felix has my unequivocal support."
Statement from Alistair Mackintosh
"The opportunity to bring in a manager with the experience of Felix Magath would typically be unlikely at this point in the season. However, Felix relishes this challenge. He is very impressed with our squad and commitment by Mr. Khan, and his confidence is precisely what we need over these final three months of the season. I thank Mr. Khan for his support and we are all looking forward to welcoming Felix to Fulham."
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/14/magath-appointed (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/14/magath-appointed)
Never heard of him. Whats happening to Rene?
No mentioned of Rene, Wilkins, Curbishley?
Wow
God that's a bit sudden. Hope Rene stays. But surely one of the other two would have to go?
What is going on.
This is madness gone berserk. The fans will never understand will they? I am lost for words to continue
He has managed Bayern, Wolfsburg and Schalke to name just a few
Makes little sense. Could you blame riether? Shot out of the blue.
New chant "we've got four managers" hope Rene stays on as head coach - don't much care about the other two
rene sacked absolute joke
Yep as I said previously in another thread, we have now become a Monty Python sketch
rene sacked
We are his 12th club in the last 12 years. Does not seem to hang around very long.
You sure he is sacked?
i fear the worst now. that pen aganist liverpool has been costly for rene
What the hell?!? This is ridiculous. I'm speechless.
what in the hell is goin on at our club?
Astonished frankly. Rene must be too but it's not impossible that he'll stay as head coach.
We do now know that Khan is determined to be successful at Fulham. Time will tell if this is a smart move though. My feeling is that Rene was getting things right.
Quote from: Pluto on February 14, 2014, 07:07:39 PM
What the hell?!? This is ridiculous. I'm speechless.
:plus one:
Our club is being destroyed. Got to be a laughing stock.
Quote from: TonyGilroy on February 14, 2014, 07:08:01 PM
Astonished frankly. Rene must be too but it's not impossible that he'll stay as head coach.
We do now know that Khan is determined to be successful at Fulham. Time will tell if this is a smart move though. My feeling is that Rene was getting things right.
sky just said rne sacked, all those players joined because of him its a joke
Wasn't it stated a few weeks ago that Rene possibly only hsd the Man U and Pool game to prove himself. I thought he may have done the wsy we played
yep berserker they said that on sky sports just 5 mins ago
He has a good record at turning teams around really quickly in relegation battles in the Bundesliga
From Wiki.
Reputation
As a manager, Magath quickly gained respect and became notorious for his hard, grinding training methods, laying heavy emphasis on discipline, fitness and conditioning. Players gave him nicknames like "Saddam" (Saddam Hussein) or "Quälix", a rhyming mash of his first name Felix and the German verb "quälen" (to torture).[6] He was once described by former Eintracht Frankfurt player Bachirou Salou as the "last dictator in Europe
I think the club should say Rene is sacked, maybe he has gone back to be our coach
berserker they have, they sky presenter said so now on ticket bar. disgrace, i really fear the worst
What is going on I'm actually speechless. So what of rene,ray and curbs? No word from the club what an absolute joke. While magath is a coup we are a laughing stock
We're actually a laughing stock.
I have nothing else to say.
This is a Mac decision/advice. I just hope Rene stays he is the best coach. Can he stay after this??????????????????
18 month contract...means he won't bail even if we do go down
This is crazy, why?
I think Rene had a vision and it showed, I'm not sure about this.
Just turning it around and then the we go an do this
This is mad, Rene was just getting the team together. I think that just may have done us this season!
Did Tunnicliffe and cole not sign just because of Rene?? What a crazy decision. Ali mcintosh is fairly being bold in these decisions
Quote from: grandad on February 14, 2014, 07:06:12 PM
We are his 12th club in the last 12 years. Does not seem to hang around very long.
I can understand your confusion because 1992 doesn't seem that long ago to me either, but we're actually his 12th club in the last
22 years. 5 clubs in the last 13 years after bouncing around a lot more in the earlier part of his managerial career.
I would note that we said much the same thing about Roy when he was appointed.
rene for me was turning the team around, he had 2 months of working with Jol's rubbish gets his boys in we get 2 good results should have been 2 points sadly wasn't and he goes. its a disgrace
Great news. He used to work with Ashkan at Wolfsburg.
Quote from: Toby Ward-Smith on February 14, 2014, 06:57:42 PM
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/14/magath-appointed (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/14/magath-appointed)
Never heard of him. Whats happening to Rene?
Never heard of him> One of the world's best known managers/coaches
Rene hasn't even had a chance to build a team. We are an embaressment.
KHAN OUT
Really bad decision. He has no experience of the Premier League, things were coming together under Rene, 12 games to go.
What will the players make of this? More changes to become accustomed to.
It all smacks of panic by Khan.
I am very unhappy about this.
Sounds like a nice bloke though...
As a manager, Magath quickly gained respect and became notorious for his hard, grinding training methods, laying heavy emphasis on discipline, fitness and conditioning. Players gave him nicknames like "Saddam" (Saddam Hussein) or "Quälix", a rhyming mash of his first name Felix and the German verb "quälen" (to torture).[6] He was once described by former Eintracht Frankfurt player Bachirou Salou as the "last dictator in Europe"
I am happy with this, personally.
we need rene back he was getting the players working
I think most of us were fully behind Rene, after the last two gritty performances, and expected to have a right go at West Brom - we should have at least waited until the assessment of that performance - surely?
Absolutely shocked, and have the feeling for the first time ever that someone is toying with my club at the worst possible moment.
Yes, we might survive, but under Rene I think we could have had real long term development, plus every chance of staying up.
The club shouldn't have forced Curbishley and Wilkins on him, as I don't believe they were his choice, and made his early progress stutter.
:doh:
We'd have been delighted if he been appointed 3 or 4 months ago but now when we're all enthused after the last two performances? Seems crazy to me but, as I said above, this proves that Khan will do what it takes to make us successful. The drift is over but I fear that this decision is just plain wrong.
Or maybe Rene's indecision over the last few months has not impressed Mackintosh and Khan.
As harsh as it is, if Magath manages to turn us around now we'll be lauding Khan for making this decision. Remember Adkins at Southampton?
I know this is a different situation but Rene was hardly pulling up trees and whos to say he wouldve kept us up. The fact we had 2 ok games vs man u and liverpool doesn't change the fact of the poor run we're on.
WBA is a MUST win game so hopefully we get the new manager effect that can string a few wins together and get us out of trouble.
Very un-Fulham decision but its happened now
Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!! What is this clown Khan up to? Why let Rene spend big on the Greek & bring in the other players he wanted & then do this? Particularly when we seem to be improving.
It was Khan's fault for not replacing Jol early enough, yet takes out his **** up on Rene.
I know we've been spoilt by Al Fayed & we're all panicking but what the hell in this idiot up to???
So have we now become the new blackburn. New owner 3 managers in 1 season in the relegation I thought rene was turning it around
We are in turmoil now. Absolute shambles.
its a joke, i feel like emailing the club complaining
Quote from: Fulham76 on February 14, 2014, 07:21:34 PM
Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!! What is this clown Khan up to? Why let Rene spend big on the Greek & bring in the other players he wanted & then do this?
"Rene" didn't spend big on the Greek, because Rene was head coach, not manager, and never had any control over things like transfers.
I suppose we just get behind this manager
Quote from: westcliff white on February 14, 2014, 07:23:27 PM
its a joke, i feel like emailing the club complaining
Woahhh, lets not do anything rash
Very harsh on Rene. Would really want him to stay as head coach.
If it keeps us up, then a good move.
One thing is sure: there will be much more (defensive) discipline now. He is a very tough manager, something we did not have for a while.
Given the 10 day break this was now or never to make a last ditch change. He may well join to bring us back up quickly if things do not improve immediately.
I just hate the way Rene was dispatched. No class. Smacks of panic. Hope Wilkins goes as well.
Rene was told by phone call from Ali Mac. Jim White just spoke to him and said on ssn that he was socked and think Fulham have pushed the panic button.
Can this new guy keep is up? Apparently he his the German equivalent of tony pulis! :dead horse: fp.gif 090.gif
If we had gotten relegated under Meulensteen, people would have cursed that we didn't get someone more experienced.
If we get relegated now, people will curse that we didn't stick with Rene.
Lose-lose for Khan, if you ask me.
very dumb to sack rene when we were just getting on our feet again
at least our new manager is actually very good
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26200035 (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26200035)
Is it April 1st?
The timing seems very strange to me. We put in two decent, fighting performances against top teams and then come out with a statement like this?
Why not make it clear what is happening to Rene?
If Rene goes, my reaction will be one of disappointment as he never really had a chance, yet he seemed to be doing the right things.
Keep the faith, I suppose...more clarity would be nice though.
Absolutely gutted by this. Meulensteen was the right man to lead the club long term. This is a depressing knee jerk reaction from a chairman and chief exec who had previously spoken about the need for solidity. It is 11 days since few they gave the manager the tools to get us out of this situation. A situation that had not been entirely of his own making. He simply has not been given enough time.
We may well go down. That is the reality of the situation we are in. What we had the opportunity to do with Meulensteen was rebuild, improve and establish a team that wanted to play for each other, this club and for him.
The only thing to do now is get behind the team and the new man. Let's hope this episode will not become emblematic of a new short term-ism around the club which would do nothing but worsen our situation.
COYW
Quote from: rusty shackleford on February 14, 2014, 07:25:24 PM
Quote from: westcliff white on February 14, 2014, 07:23:27 PM
its a joke, i feel like emailing the club complaining
Woahhh, lets not do anything rash
Just the way i feel, it wont make any difference as they never listen to fans. the last 2 games gave us pride back, people stopped laughing and took notice. we were moving forward. TUnni and Cole def came because of Rene, probably Hettinga too. the rest maybe not but he had them working. What happens if Magath brings back the players out of form. the same ole crap we had before
Pity we couldn't keep Rene as head coach, i suppose the new man will want his own team of advisors/coaches
Just read the bbc article with quote from Rene...I'm shocked
If you take a step back and look at this.....
We had 2 good games against Pool and United. What would of happened if we went to WBA and got hammered 3-0? It would have been Rene out all over the place.
Remember Sheff United, Southampton, Sunderland, Swansea.
When was the last clean sheet in the league? December 8th.
I really liked Rene, but he needed to start picking up points sooner
I suppose that is was quite an easy job coaching Man U with their squad & cash availability. It is a lot harder with a club like ours. Perhaps the club felt that Rene was out of his depth.
Glad he's gone, terrible manager.
Scraping a draw at Old Trafford was not an indication that we were going to get out of it. We didn't deserve anything against Liverpool either. 34 goals conceded in 13 games, which 3 of those were wins, 1 a draw and 9 losses is unacceptable.
Cheerio Rene. Worse than Sanchez.
It makes the decision to appoint Rene in the first place all the more baffling.
It was either a coach for the long-term, bringing through the youth and building from the ground up, or someone for the short-term. If Rene was meant to change things immediately with his inexperience then that's ludicrous in itself, just as is not letting him see through the project.
fp.gif
The news page on the offal has crashed
Shocked but at this stage of the season good performances count for nothing unless they result in points. When Rene took over we had a couple of good games but the form quickly nosedived again and I feel that is what would have happened again, he showed no consistency and Khan obviously thinks he had enough time to turns things around which he very blatantly did not.
Rene really sounds pi$$ed off. Can´t really blame him but as he has been quoted "Hey,Ho that´s football".
It's all about MONEY, Khan sees the club as an investment and is not going to let #80 million tv money go, very short sighted I feel, and very Blackburn
not sure if true but just read on twitter that magath has already recalled bryan ruiz
Quote from: Putney on February 14, 2014, 07:35:52 PM
Glad he's gone, terrible manager.
Scraping a draw at Old Trafford was not an indication that we were going to get out of it. We didn't deserve anything against Liverpool either. 34 goals conceded in 13 games, which 3 of those were wins, 1 a draw and 9 losses is unacceptable.
Cheerio Rene. Worse than Sanchez.
I'm sorry but Sanchez will never be beaten for the title of worst manager in FFC's recent history.
Quote from: epsomraver on February 14, 2014, 07:48:49 PM
It's all about MONEY, Khan sees the club as an investment and is not going to let #80 million tv money go, very short sighted I feel, and very Blackburn
Who cares? His interests in not letting his investment go to waste are entirely aligned with our interests in seeing the club not be relegated.
Quote from: Putney on February 14, 2014, 07:35:52 PM
Glad he's gone, terrible manager.
Scraping a draw at Old Trafford was not an indication that we were going to get out of it. We didn't deserve anything against Liverpool either. 34 goals conceded in 13 games, which 3 of those were wins, 1 a draw and 9 losses is unacceptable.
Cheerio Rene. Worse than Sanchez.
WUM
Give him 2 games, if we don't get 6 points, sack him !
WOW! Just WOW! This is just a shocking decision. Can't say I'm surprised at what's happening to our club when you have a new owner who doesn't understand the league and buying the club at our toughest times in the league!
Quote from: callumc513 on February 14, 2014, 07:52:59 PM
WUM
Wum?
Point out all the glorious moments from the Spurs games onwards here...
http://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/fulham-football-club/667/matches/ (http://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/fulham-football-club/667/matches/)
Embarrassing. I was prepared to go down with Rene as manager. Even if Felix does save us this move will never sit right with me.
Quote from: Putney on February 14, 2014, 07:35:52 PM
Glad he's gone, terrible manager.
Scraping a draw at Old Trafford was not an indication that we were going to get out of it. We didn't deserve anything against Liverpool either. 34 goals conceded in 13 games, which 3 of those were wins, 1 a draw and 9 losses is unacceptable.
Cheerio Rene. Worse than Sanchez.
I smell a strong whiff of bull
Magath's last club job was with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga 2011-12.
What does this mean for Mitroglou?
From what I've read about Magath is that he is a fitness freak and wants his players to be 1000% match fit before they step on the pitch. I would have thought that Rene would have pushed him into the first team a bit sooner than he was actually ready in pure desperation for goals (and that he'd just spent £11million on him)
Wonder how long it will be until Mitroglou starts a game
lots of reports saying he has recalled ruiz . what the hell is going on . oh my god .
Quote from: epsomraver on February 14, 2014, 07:48:49 PM
It's all about MONEY, Khan sees the club as an investment and is not going to let #80 million tv money go, very short sighted I feel, and very Blackburn
But isn't that what we want. Preservation of Premier League status as the absolute priority. This may not give us that of course but at least the owner is trying.
Well I'm definitely going to the West Brom game now
I would like to see how the new players are going to take this guy. Especially tunnicliffe and cole.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/14/magath-appointed (http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/14/magath-appointed)
Magath Appointed
Friday 14 February 2014 18:51
Fulham Football Club today announced the hiring of Felix Magath as First Team Manager, effective immediately.
The announcement was made jointly by Chairman Shahid Khan and CEO Alistair Mackintosh. Magath receives an 18-month contract. An announcement on the Fulham backroom staff will be made in the near future.
Statement from Shahid Khan
"I am very happy to welcome Felix Magath to Fulham Football Club. Felix is an accomplished manager with multiple honours in the Bundesliga and a hunger to replicate his success with Fulham in the Barclays Premier League. I'm especially impressed with the reputation Felix has for coming into clubs at difficult times, often late in the season, and lifting them to their potential and beyond. Felix knows that is precisely the task awaiting him at Fulham, and he made it abundantly clear that he wants and is ready for the opportunity.
"Our Club has shown promise in recent matches, but the fact is we have not won a league match since January 1. Given our form, we can no longer merely hope that our fortunes will finally turn. And with 12 matches remaining and at least four points separating us from safety, we certainly can no longer post empty results. Action was required.
"Alistair Mackintosh did a wonderful job during the January transfer window to improve our Club. This week, Alistair recommended Felix, with his history of producing results for Clubs with similar challenges as ours, as the new manager of Fulham. Alistair's recommendation received my complete approval and Felix has my unequivocal support."
Statement from Alistair Mackintosh
"The opportunity to bring in a manager with the experience of Felix Magath would typically be unlikely at this point in the season. However, Felix relishes this challenge. He is very impressed with our squad and commitment by Mr. Khan, and his confidence is precisely what we need over these final three months of the season. I thank Mr. Khan for his support and we are all looking forward to welcoming Felix to Fulham
PokerMatt makes a valid/good point - Rene was probably the wrong appointment in the first place.
Reading between the lines it would appear that Ali Mack has stabbed Rene in the back to save his own arse. Alistair was the man who chased Jol and then recommended Rene. I have also heard on good authority that much of our transfer activity was not led by Rene.
Personally, I think the performances and team selection under Rene has been poor. I liked the man and he came across well in his interviews but we needed consistency.
I hope Wilkins and Curbs have also left.
As for this chap, he certainly isn't particularly popular with fans and players of previous teams he managed but maybe we need the edge that a strong leader will bring in the next 12 games. I just hope the players react in the right way.
Has Rene gone ?
Does it say anywhere that Rene has gone?...............maybe he is still Head Coach
This makes absolutely no sense to me.
As I see it, Rene was finally finding his feet as a manager, making tough calls to drop senior players, building a togetherness and fighting spirit in the team, then they go and sack him and appoint a new man who has absolutely no knowledge of the players at his disposal and no time to get to do so. This seems an incoherent decision.
But if this guy pulls if off, we will be hailing the appointment.
I'll be sad to see Rene go, there seemed to a lot of goodwill towards him as they sort of man who we would like to have seen lead the club into the future and to bring through our young players.
For me good and brave decision-our immediate appreciation should be with supporting Khan's courageous call and as a devout FFC supporter hope this move will pay off!!
He wasn't sacked - he walked away.
Still listed as first team staff, he never had a title *
http://www.fulhamfc.com/the-teams/staff (http://www.fulhamfc.com/the-teams/staff)
Great Move. Fulham is on the path to relegation. So after a tie to Man U.and a loss to Liverpool, he gives his club 4 DAYS OFF to rest. Thats right folks... 4 days off. The team is to report back on Monday.
Good riddance Rene.
Reputation[edit]
As a manager, Magath quickly gained respect and became notorious for his hard, grinding training methods, laying heavy emphasis on discipline, fitness and conditioning. Players gave him nicknames like "Saddam" (Saddam Hussein) or "Quälix", a rhyming mash of his first name Felix and the German verb "quälen" (to torture).[7] He was once described by former Eintracht Frankfurt player Bachirou Salou as the "last dictator in Europe".[8]
Sounds like just the kind of guy who would fit in here. Jack boots and luger in the locker no doubt.
What a prize up.
THIS THREAD WAS EDITED DUE TO OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE
We would gladly take Rene back to OT.
Quote from: Fulham FC Fan on February 14, 2014, 08:06:23 PM
Great Move. Fulham is on the path to relegation. So after a tie to Man U.and a loss to Liverpool, he gives his club 4 DAYS OFF to rest. Thats right folks... 4 days off. The team is to report back on Monday.
Good riddance Rene.
Are you serious?? Rewarding failure....
at least he can talk some sense to reither in german
Well it is probably better than Curbishly as our manager, which was the rumour just over a week
What a joke of a club and chairman. Rene was for me beginning to do all the right things that we have asked for years, bringing youth to the team the likes of burn, tunnicliffe and tankovic also getting rid of ruiz, senderos and berbatov. Where now back to square one, even if we had been relegated with Rene which will most likely will be regardless of any manager he seemed to have a long term vision for the club.
Absolute disgrace!
This is a huge shock for all of us as Rene appeared to be turning us around slowly. Obviously not fast enough for some.
We have all agreed Rene has appeared naive at times and I believe his management of his upline has obviously been lacking.
Ali Mac has watched him operate at close quarters and decided he just ain't got what we need.
Good coach who would have been good for us in the long term, however, where we are operating has no space or time for "on the job training"
This can go two ways lets hope Felix can fix it.
Very unconvinced by this, even aside from getting rid of Rene. Apparantly he's hated by his players, and we've got three first teamers that have played under him before (Reither, Holtby, Dejagah), there's the two united kids who must be fuming, and with the age of our team and his ridiculous training methods, no way we don't get an injury soon, and we're not exactly stacked with quality.
We'll see I guess.
Does this change not remind anyone about Di Canio and Sunderland last year? Brought in late, saved Sunderland from relegation, has a reputation as a tough disciplinarian and emphasis on fitness and training. Started off this season very poorly of course, and the squad rebelled.
Will he be our Di Canio?
Like when Hodgson came in, it took a while to get things right, but I felt Rene was just about there.
With the new manager needing to experiment and find his best team, I feel we are now doomed.
Gutted for, and about, Rene, but this shows Khan is determined to save his investment-he doesn't want to go down.
Magath is known as 'the fireman' apparently, for saving teams in the Bundesliga from relegation, and also called Saadam and the 'dictator' for his tough training methods by players.
He was an Ali Mac recommendation apparently.
This is the last, desperate throw of the dice - perhaps it will work, who knows. My worry is that he has little time to adapt to Fulham and the players, and is inexperienced in the Prem.
Good luck to him anyway, and condolences to Rene - such a top bloke.
COYW
Not heard anything about Wilkins & Curbishly.
Quote from: grandad on February 14, 2014, 08:14:22 PM
Not heard anything about Wilkins & Curbishly.
I was just thinking that
Quote from: Fullofham on February 14, 2014, 08:12:02 PM
Does this change not remind anyone about Di Canio and Sunderland last year? Brought in late, saved Sunderland from relegation, has a reputation as a tough disciplinarian and emphasis on fitness and training. Started off this season very poorly of course, and the squad rebelled.
Will he be our Di Canio?
Absolutely! Honestly, better yet invite Di Canio himself. At least he did it once, he'll save you too. Then dispose of him
Khan isn't the one to blame though. This is Ali's last chance or it will be him next
Quote from: Count Berbatov on February 14, 2014, 08:18:17 PM
Quote from: Fullofham on February 14, 2014, 08:12:02 PM
Does this change not remind anyone about Di Canio and Sunderland last year? Brought in late, saved Sunderland from relegation, has a reputation as a tough disciplinarian and emphasis on fitness and training. Started off this season very poorly of course, and the squad rebelled.
Will he be our Di Canio?
Absolutely! Honestly, better yet invite Di Canio himself. At least he did it once, he'll save you too. Then dispose of him
Di Canio is a fascist asshole. I'll take Magath instead.
If Di Canio was here I wouldn't go to matches
Quote from: jmh on February 14, 2014, 08:21:09 PM
Quote from: Count Berbatov on February 14, 2014, 08:18:17 PM
Quote from: Fullofham on February 14, 2014, 08:12:02 PM
Does this change not remind anyone about Di Canio and Sunderland last year? Brought in late, saved Sunderland from relegation, has a reputation as a tough disciplinarian and emphasis on fitness and training. Started off this season very poorly of course, and the squad rebelled.
Will he be our Di Canio?
Absolutely! Honestly, better yet invite Di Canio himself. At least he did it once, he'll save you too. Then dispose of him
Di Canio is a fascist asshole. I'll take Magath instead.
That's a different matter
How many managers have we had in the past 5 years now? Losing count. Never a good thing to suffer so much instability.
Quote from: Twig on February 14, 2014, 08:23:25 PM
How many managers have we had in the past 5 years now? Losing count. Never a good thing to suffer so much instability.
At least you've been lucky with owners
@honigstein: recent Lewis Holtby quote: "I wouldn't have a problem if van Gaal came in. After all, I've survived Felix Magath, too" (via @fums_magazin)
@JanAageFjortoft: Felix Magath!
Once Magath asked a player to come to his dressing-room. Player came. Sat with him 10 mins. Not a word said.
Magath: U can go
Quote from: Count Berbatov on February 14, 2014, 08:24:06 PM
Quote from: Twig on February 14, 2014, 08:23:25 PM
How many managers have we had in the past 5 years now? Losing count. Never a good thing to suffer so much instability.
At least you've been lucky with owners
That remains to be seen.
Felix Magath...he's Puerto Rican apparently :022: ....................We ruined Bryan
I hope he is forgiving
<<<<<<<<<Correction >>>>>>
that is rubbish
Wolfgang-Felix Magath
Date of birth 26 July 1953 (age 60)
Place of birth Aschaffenburg, West Germany
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)
Playing position Offensive Midfielder
Ah rumour is Bryan may come back
i bet berbatov is glad he left when he did, he would have cried after just 1 of magath's training sessions
So, is this guy just a German Pulis?
Such a knee jerk reaction and yet we stuck with Jol when it was obvious to all of us that he should have been sacked months before he actually went. Magath I presume was available when we sacked Jol why didnt we appoint him then. We will just have to see whether this works. I guess none of us know. Feel sorry for Rene as he always seemed a decent bloke on the interviews
So Magath and Holtby hate eachother. It gets better!
Doubt they hate each other, Holtby just has a healthy respect
Welcome to everyone on this fabulous forum :Haynes The Maestro:
It really is the top forum I have ever visited because it is properly moderated. Well done all.
Brought up in Lillie Rd and been a Fulham fan since about 1964. I've been following the ups and downs on FOF for five years but only registered in the last couple of days. Love René Meulensteen and look what happens 1500.gif
We certainly seem to be doomed but here's a quote from Wikipedia that might bring hope:
Wolfsburg equalled the longest winning streak in one Bundesliga season with 10 successive victories. They also became the only team in the Bundesliga to have had two strikers scoring more than 20 goals each in one season.
Ring any bells?
And BTW don't forget this bloke actually won the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg!
Sorry to buck the trend, I agree Rene seemed a nice fella, but, apart from a couple of decent performances when he replaced jol, we have not really done much, we are bottom of the league, a long way from safety, still conceding goals at an alarming rate, 5 in the last two games when we played a fighting defensive game that could not work long term. I am sorry for you Rene but you came at the wrong time.
Quote from: KP_FFC on February 14, 2014, 08:30:23 PM
i bet berbatov is glad he left when he did, he would have cried after just 1 of magath's training sessions
Actually, Ranieri got him up to speed. He ran his socks off and scored the winner two days ago. Ranieri said his physical condition wasn't the best when he first came to them
Quote from: LillieBoy on February 14, 2014, 08:37:34 PM
Welcome to everyone on this fabulous forum :Haynes The Maestro:
It really is the top forum I have ever visited because it is properly moderated. Well done all.
Brought up in Lillie Rd and been a Fulham fan since about 1964. I've been following the ups and downs on FOF for five years but only registered in the last couple of days. Love René Meulensteen and look what happens 1500.gif
We certainly seem to be doomed but here's a quote from Wikipedia that might bring hope:
Wolfsburg equalled the longest winning streak in one Bundesliga season with 10 successive victories. They also became the only team in the Bundesliga to have had two strikers scoring more than 20 goals each in one season.
Ring any bells?
And BTW don't forget this bloke actually won the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg!
That's the hope. That he can win the championship here too
Quote from: Fulham FC Fan on February 14, 2014, 08:06:23 PM
Great Move. Fulham is on the path to relegation. So after a tie to Man U.and a loss to Liverpool, he gives his club 4 DAYS OFF to rest. Thats right folks... 4 days off. The team is to report back on Monday.
Good riddance Rene.
I agree, nice guy, **** manager... But I just hope we have binned curbs and wills aswel
Quote from: KP_FFC on February 14, 2014, 07:50:49 PM
not sure if true but just read on twitter that magath has already recalled bryan ruiz
I was feeling reasonably positive until you said that!
he may be brilliant but what does he know about the squad or any of the teams we are about to play.
what tactics will he adopt against wba.... it is a disaster... he is almost certain to bring back the failed old guard, we need a genuine miracle.... fayed wouldn't have done this!
Quote from: SG on February 14, 2014, 08:31:16 PM
Such a knee jerk reaction and yet we stuck with Jol when it was obvious to all of us that he should have been sacked months before he actually went. Magath I presume was available when we sacked Jol why didnt we appoint him then. We will just have to see whether this works. I guess none of us know. Feel sorry for Rene as he always seemed a decent bloke on the interviews
It does make you wonder why not hire Magath as manager and keep RM as coach - his role under Jol?
Quote from: RaySmith on February 14, 2014, 08:13:02 PM
Gutted for, and about, Rene, but this shows Khan is determined to save his investment-he doesn't want to go down.
Magath is known as 'the fireman' apparently, for saving teams in the Bundesliga from relegation, and also called Saadam and the 'dictator' for his tough training methods by players.
He was an Ali Mac recommendation apparently.
This is the last, desperate throw of the dice - perhaps it will work, who knows. My worry is that he has little time to adapt to Fulham and the players, and is inexperienced in the Prem.
Good luck to him anyway, and condolences to Rene - such a top bloke.
COYW
Quote from: RaySmith on February 14, 2014, 08:13:02 PM
Gutted for, and about, Rene, but this shows Khan is determined to save his investment-he doesn't want to go down.
Magath is known as 'the fireman' apparently, for saving teams in the Bundesliga from relegation, and also called Saadam and the 'dictator' for his tough training methods by players.
He was an Ali Mac recommendation apparently.
This is the last, desperate throw of the dice - perhaps it will work, who knows. My worry is that he has little time to adapt to Fulham and the players, and is inexperienced in the Prem.
Good luck to him anyway, and condolences to Rene - such a top bloke.
COYW
Well that pretty much sums up how I feel. As much as I liked Rene He was almost too nice. Khan seems determined to keep us up and A M has taken this on his shoulders. If it doesn't work perhaps he should be worried. Any way, The King is dead, long live the King!
Quote from: Pluto on February 14, 2014, 07:18:07 PM
Rene hasn't even had a chance to build a team. We are an embaressment.
KHAN OUT
This. I am shocked, ashamed, embarrassed to be a Fulham fan. What have they done.
Whatever next, the club is in a shambolic state!!!
Apparently he's the first German manager in the history of The Premier League. So at least that's one bit of history coming out of today
Quote from: Count Berbatov on February 14, 2014, 08:40:52 PM
Quote from: LillieBoy on February 14, 2014, 08:37:34 PM
Welcome to everyone on this fabulous forum :Haynes The Maestro:
It really is the top forum I have ever visited because it is properly moderated. Well done all.
Brought up in Lillie Rd and been a Fulham fan since about 1964. I've been following the ups and downs on FOF for five years but only registered in the last couple of days. Love René Meulensteen and look what happens 1500.gif
We certainly seem to be doomed but here's a quote from Wikipedia that might bring hope:
Wolfsburg equalled the longest winning streak in one Bundesliga season with 10 successive victories. They also became the only team in the Bundesliga to have had two strikers scoring more than 20 goals each in one season.
Ring any bells?
And BTW don't forget this bloke actually won the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg!
That's the hope. That he can win the championship here too
Exactly my point.
You still with us then? :54:
Quote from: Riether Lightning 63 on February 14, 2014, 09:08:18 PM
Apparently he's the first German manager in the history of The Premier League. So at least that's one bit of history coming out of today
Maybe Klinsmann can come in as his No 2, and after a defeat to WBA we can sack Felix and promote Jurgan to "head coach"
A massive gamble!
Just when it looked like everyone was pulling in the same direction!
Now we've got a manger who will have to bring his new ideas across, new system, get to know the players/players get to know him etc.
I can't see this benefitting us at all.
The new transfers were just bedding in, it was a productive transfer window - I mean Rene didn't even get to use Mitroglou!
We've taken the complete piss out of Rene!
If this panic button appointment works, it could turn out to be a superb decision.
On the other hand - and most likely - we set the team back again and lose our direction.
He might of been in Bundesliga relegation scraps but he hasn't done it in the Premier League!
I will give the team my maximum support, no matter who we appoint - we need to stay up.
But if this goes pear-shaped - Mackintosh has to go!
Had a feeling something was happening. Normally Rene is very passionate when he comes out of the tunnel but against Liverpool he seemed very subdued.
Quote from: LillieBoy on February 14, 2014, 09:10:29 PM
Quote from: Count Berbatov on February 14, 2014, 08:40:52 PM
Quote from: LillieBoy on February 14, 2014, 08:37:34 PM
Welcome to everyone on this fabulous forum :Haynes The Maestro:
It really is the top forum I have ever visited because it is properly moderated. Well done all.
Brought up in Lillie Rd and been a Fulham fan since about 1964. I've been following the ups and downs on FOF for five years but only registered in the last couple of days. Love René Meulensteen and look what happens 1500.gif
We certainly seem to be doomed but here's a quote from Wikipedia that might bring hope:
Wolfsburg equalled the longest winning streak in one Bundesliga season with 10 successive victories. They also became the only team in the Bundesliga to have had two strikers scoring more than 20 goals each in one season.
Ring any bells?
And BTW don't forget this bloke actually won the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg!
That's the hope. That he can win the championship here too
Exactly my point.
You still with us then? :54:
Nope. I plan to be with you here in the PL. ;-)
Quote from: Riether Lightning 63 on February 14, 2014, 09:08:18 PM
Apparently he's the first German manager in the history of The Premier League. So at least that's one bit of history coming out of today
There might be another one, has a team ever had 3 managers in one season?
He drinks tea at his pressers. I like it
I hope thats a White Mao Feng or a nice Camomile, Felix
(http://mediadb.kicker.de/news/1000/1020/1100/3000/artikel/768230/magath_tee-1335633312_zoom34_crop_800x600_800x600%2B95%2B23.jpg)
I think we've made a bloody ridiculous decision to sack Rene Meulensteen at this stage.
The way we were going I think we had a chance of staying up, but now I think we are ferked.
I've not read the other 10 pages so I don't know what the general feeling is, but I'm disgusted with the people in charge.
If you appoint a manager you have to give him time to do the job, and we clearly haven't done that.
There's not been many times that I've felt ashamed to be a Fulham supporter, in fact I don't think it's ever been the case, until today!
There was rumours that Rene needed a win from the last 2 games or face the sack.
Can't believe those rumours held truth!
They should've at least waited until after the West Brom game to take such drastic measures!
Quote from: Julius Geezer on February 14, 2014, 09:29:08 PM
There was rumours that Rene needed a win from the last 2 games or face the sack.
Can't believe those rumours held truth!
They should've at least waited until after the West Brom game to take such drastic measures!
Well, I mean... even if that's the case, it's not JUST the United and Liverpool games, it's also Southampton and Sheff Utd and Sunderland and Hull.
''Looks like we may have a Leeds type situation at the Cottage. It's now being reported Rene Mulensteen is still at Fulham as head coach #ffc''
Quote from: Julius Geezer on February 14, 2014, 09:29:08 PM
There was rumours that Rene needed a win from the last 2 games or face the sack.
Can't believe those rumours held truth!
They should've at least waited until after the West Brom game to take such drastic measures!
Why? Perfect timing really, fa cup weekend so he has a whole week to get use to the players. I do feel sorry for Rene I liked him a lot but we can't keep going like this, something had to change
Quote from: KP_FFC on February 14, 2014, 09:32:31 PM
''Looks like we may have a Leeds type situation at the Cottage. It's now being reported Rene Mulensteen is still at Fulham as head coach #ffc''
Oh please let that be true.
:031:
Quote from: KP_FFC on February 14, 2014, 09:32:31 PM
''Looks like we may have a Leeds type situation at the Cottage. It's now being reported Rene Mulensteen is still at Fulham as head coach #ffc''
Well I hope so but what sort of info is that?
Maggie wants his own boys surely.
"Being reported"? Weasel words. :031:
Quote from: KP_FFC on February 14, 2014, 09:32:31 PM
''Looks like we may have a Leeds type situation at the Cottage. It's now being reported Rene Mulensteen is still at Fulham as head coach #ffc''
No chance, listen to his quotes.
Our statement: not one mention of Rene or thanking him for trying to pick up the prices that Jol left us in.
Macintosh is becoming an embarrassing joke IMO.
Quote from: Danitar on February 14, 2014, 09:33:16 PM
Quote from: Julius Geezer on February 14, 2014, 09:29:08 PM
There was rumours that Rene needed a win from the last 2 games or face the sack.
Can't believe those rumours held truth!
They should've at least waited until after the West Brom game to take such drastic measures!
Why? Perfect timing really, fa cup weekend so he has a whole week to get use to the players. I do feel sorry for Rene I liked him a lot but we can't keep going like this, something had to change
Because that is game of huge importance!
If we aren't beating the teams around us - something drastic needs to be done.
That is a game we could of won and won quite easily under Rene if we showed the application we did in the last 2 games.
Quote from: leonffc on February 14, 2014, 09:49:06 PM
Our statement: not one mention of Rene or thanking him for trying to pick up the prices that Jol left us in.
Macintosh is becoming an embarrassing joke IMO.
Thank you.
Even if this guy comes in, we do well, we stay up, everyones happy - people will forget what Rene has actually done for us.
Well, I mean... even if that's the case, it's not JUST the United and Liverpool games, it's also Southampton and Sheff Utd and Sunderland and Hull.
[/quote]
Thats the truth, after Sheffield United Khan must have decided thats it, and it has taken this last two weeks to get it done, they didn't expect anything from last two games but wanted 7 days before WBA.
So my gut is RM was gone unless we managed to win both and that was never going too happen.
I like the guy as a talking head but he didn't seem to have a clue as Manager, the terrible subs, the team rotation seemed like a crap shoot, bringing in Butch and Curbs etc.
Agree this is a ballsy move but WTF, can't be worse than what we produced against Saints and Blades
Quote from: Count Berbatov on February 14, 2014, 08:39:25 PM
Actually, Ranieri got him up to speed. He ran his socks off and scored the winner two days ago. Ranieri said his physical condition wasn't the best when he first came to them
Just asked my mate from Monaco who went to that game how Berbatov played...
'Awful', 'didn't run', 'no motivation', 'the berba you know i guess?'
Many fans a few games ago, stating that the players were not earning their fat pay cheques, now sounds like a manager that will get them working for their money.
Sorry for Rene though, "wrong place, wrong time"
Keep the faith, we are Fulham FC.
I think people(including myself) overrated Rene because of his personality and great speeches. Lets look at the stats...
Since Rene took over we have played 15 Premier League games and won 4 of them and draw 2. Thats a 60% loss rate & 14 points out of a possible 45. With losses against teams like Hull & Sunderland. Not just losses though, thrashings. We lost 4-1 against Everton. 2-4 against Man City. 6-0 against Hull. 1-4 against Sunderland and 0-3 against Southampton. The only time we didn't concede under Rene were against Aston Villa & Norwich. We have conceded at least 2 goals in 67% of the games under Rene.
Let's not forget the two tragic performances against Sheffield in the cup.
It was starting to look better but I'm not convinced he could have kept us up. I'm just hoping this new bloke can.
Another quote.
Quote from: Croatian International Ivica Olic
until one plays under Magath, they have no idea what torture actually is.
This will be the final nail in our coffin or a Man City away-seque game changer for us.
Really liked Rene, top man but i'm hoping Felix is as ruthless as Rene is amiable. I get the impression that Felix is a tough cookie.
Edit: The quote in the post above backs up my impression of Felix.
...what I don't understand is that Rene needed more time, and it wasn't his fault as to why the club stuck by jol and didn't appoint him earlier. At the very least keep Rene for the long term build as coach and bring in Felix as manager rather than appointing Curbishley and the crab. Felix will be here for the short term, and he should have been paired with Rene to teach him the managerial ropes for the future...
Quote from: Blanco on February 14, 2014, 10:00:49 PM
I think people(including myself) overrated Rene because of his personality and great speeches. Lets look at the stats...
Since Rene took over we have played 15 Premier League games and won 4 of them and draw 2. Thats a 60% loss rate & 14 points out of a possible 45. With losses against teams like Hull & Sunderland. Not just losses though, thrashings. We lost 4-1 against Everton. 2-4 against Man City. 6-0 against Hull. 1-4 against Sunderland and 0-3 against Southampton. The only time we didn't concede under Rene were against Aston Villa & Norwich. We have conceded at least 2 goals in 67% of the games under Rene.
Let's not forget the two tragic performances against Sheffield in the cup.
It was starting to look better but I'm not convinced he could have kept us up. I'm just hoping this new bloke can.
That is bang on.
If you are Khan watching that, at the same time that Pulis and Fat Sam have been doing wonders with **** squads at Palace and Wet Spam no wonder you would pull the trigger
Looking at this I'm quite pleased with the appointment as this is a guy that doesn't take rubbish and has fitness and discipline as his back bone which is good as our team has been getting away with not being fit enough to last 90 minutes. Also this guyight take a training session that might involve practising set pieces which both jol and Rene haven't really got to grips with. I liked Rene but you have to admit the results weren't getting that much better
Quote from: Blanco on February 14, 2014, 10:00:49 PM
I think people(including myself) overrated Rene because of his personality and great speeches. Lets look at the stats...
Since Rene took over we have played 15 Premier League games and won 4 of them and draw 2. Thats a 60% loss rate & 14 points out of a possible 45. With losses against teams like Hull & Sunderland. Not just losses though, thrashings. We lost 4-1 against Everton. 2-4 against Man City. 6-0 against Hull. 1-4 against Sunderland and 0-3 against Southampton. The only time we didn't concede under Rene were against Aston Villa & Norwich. We have conceded at least 2 goals in 67% of the games under Rene.
Let's not forget the two tragic performances against Sheffield in the cup.
It was starting to look better but I'm not convinced he could have kept us up. I'm just hoping this new bloke can.
you should check roy's stats they were hopeless for ages, didn't it take 8 games for the first win.... hardly brilliant stuff, it came together at the end... that is what would have happened here (I think).
Quote from: LBNo11 on February 14, 2014, 10:03:48 PM
...what I don't understand is that Rene needed more time, and it wasn't his fault as to why the club stuck by jol and didn't appoint him earlier. At the very least keep Rene for the long term build as coach and bring in Felix as manager rather than appointing Curbishley and the crab. Felix will be here for the short term, and he should have been paired with Rene to teach him the managerial ropes for the future...
Absolutely what I was thinking. Will Mags want his own team though?
Are the two of them too different? It's worked in the past eg Clough/Taylor and RM with Ferguson... 078.gif
I am shocked and disgusted.
It's rare that I get to see Fulham but bought WBA ticket this afternoon. Now I wish I hadn't.
I don't have much to say - The Valentine's Day Massacre is about right...
I don't agree with sacking Rene, but I can understand the reasoning behind the club's decision to do so. The stats are all there: the embarrassing thrashings, the dreadful defensive record and simply not having enough points. But you can't axe him now, you just can't.
So with the benefit of Wiki it seems Magath has form with 3 of our squad - Wolfsburg with Riether and Dejegah, Schalke with Holtby ( but he didn't play much as Magath had signed big stars like Raul - and he went out on loan and while out Felix got fired). The Scandinavians and Dutch contingent all speak German, as do Kasami, Zverotic, Boateng and Mitroglou. I wonder tho how the English lads will do...
OK it is a results business and Rene certainly hasn't been getting results. Even the last two close encounters against top teams, if looked at coldly and analytically, were not good performance but were just gutsy showings with every one giving there maximum effort in defence, we rarely threatened our opponents goal. More would have been needed in the remaining games to bring home the points we now need,
However it was beginning to look that we were going down with a fight, now with a new manager at this late stage there has to be extreme doubt as to how on earth he can immediately select the right players , inject the right spirit and adopt the right tactics.
Relegation looks an absolute certainty.
Rene has failed in a very short time which begs the question who is taking the can back for his appointment.
:plus one:
Quote from: LBNo11 on February 14, 2014, 10:03:48 PM
...what I don't understand is that Rene needed more time, and it wasn't his fault as to why the club stuck by jol and didn't appoint him earlier. At the very least keep Rene for the long term build as coach and bring in Felix as manager rather than appointing Curbishley and the crab. Felix will be here for the short term, and he should have been paired with Rene to teach him the managerial ropes for the future...
Quote from: YoungsBitter on February 14, 2014, 10:44:25 PM
So with the benefit of Wiki it seems Magath has form with 3 of our squad - Wolfsburg with Riether and Dejegah, Schalke with Holtby ( but he didn't play much as Magath had signed big stars like Raul - and he went out on loan and while out Felix got fired). The Scandinavians and Dutch contingent all speak German, as do Kasami, Zverotic, Boateng and Mitroglou. I wonder tho how the English lads will do...
I believe Magath speaks English. It's third-hand, but this thread on the BigSoccer website (http://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/historical-yank-abroad-and-potential-us-coach-felix-magath.1519478/) discussing the possibility that Magath might manage the USA quotes an interview with him from his time at Schalke where he says:
QuoteQ : Is there a particular league that would interest you more - the premier league, the serie a, la liga?
A : language is always a limiting factor. English is the only foreign language I've learned so I think clubs in Italy or Spain might think twice before think a manager like me. So I think right now - the English league would be the option for me.
Unfortunately, the site that did the interview no longer exists so I can't really track it back any further.
Quote from: TonyGilroy on February 14, 2014, 08:05:05 PM
He wasn't sacked - he walked away.
.....Now there's a cue for a song if ever there was one......
im quite excited with Magath's arrival. he's been successful at taking teams in our position and helping them survive and has also won titles.
This is an absolute joke!
Rene inherited an ageing squad, made lazy with Jol,s laid back style of management.
Don't forget we had to play the old lazy side against Sheffield!
He has a decent winter transfer. Started using some of our decent young players. Got a point out of UTD. could have been a win!
Played well against Liverpool. Should have got a point.
I was just allowing myself the thought there may just be a crack of light & BAM! This.
Now we have to bed in a new manager. The team must adapt again to another management style.
We are going down!
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/oct/08/bundesliga-felix-magath-wolfsburg (http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/oct/08/bundesliga-felix-magath-wolfsburg) -
October 2012 article just re-tweeted by @WhiteNoise1879
Cripes, what have we done!
Rene on BBC news on tv at a quarter to midnight, I guess a short interview.
If you think are owner has a clue look at what he's done with his american football club. A disaster. Frankly, I think his sister Chaka would do better.
I wonder how the United new signings feel? How mad to have a coach with several new players and then sack the coach before they can all be used.
Bundesliga unites in its distaste for Felix Magath's acts of unkindness
The under-fire Wolfsburg manager has managed seven German clubs and left behind him a trail of ill-feeling
Felix Magath tries to make his point during Wolfsburg's defeat by Schalke. Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images
"Felix Magath out!" and "never again, Felix Magath, never again," the Schalke 04 supporters were chanting at the Wolfsburg manager at the Veltins Arena on Saturday. Quite a few Royal Blues players on the pitch seemed tempted to join in as well. Jefferson Farfán, for example, made a point of running over to the Wolfsburg bench after scoring the opener. Lip readers were later on convinced he'd mouthed "hijo de puta" in the direction of Magath. Was the striker merely repeating back some offensive words to Magath ("Oi, Felix, do you think I called you a hijo de puta?") or employing a term with altogether different connotations in Peruvian Spanish? "I didn't see it and don't care either," said the Wolves coach diplomatically.
It's rare to see opposition managers subjected to hostile chants in the Bundesliga. But then again, Magath is not your regular opposition manager but an ex-manager in seven out of 18 stadiums. In Gelsenkirchen, where he was fired in March 2011 after buying so many players that the DFL nearly ran out of registration forms - the club cited "transfer irregularities" as a reason for the dismissal – they were particularly unhappy to see him.
Farfán had set the tone earlier in the week with an interview in Sport Bild. "All managers who Schalke have had in the last few years gave something to the club," the 27-year-old claimed, "the only coach who didn't leave anything positive behind was Magath. He only left behind fines [for the players]." Farfán went on to question the manager's "militaristic methods" and wondered about a lack of "humanity" in his approach. "I can laugh now but it was a tough time," he said.
His current squad probably share that view. Ten days ago, Magath had them running through the Wolfsburg woods (again) and when they had finished, they found that most of their water bottles had been emptied on purpose by the coach. Magath tried to justify this exercise in sadism as an "educational measure" afterwards – "I wanted them to learn to share resources as a team," he claimed – but the episode is symptomatic of a course that has seen him veer dangerously close to caricature of himself. "The last dictator in Europe," as Jan Age Fjortoft once called him, should slowly realise that random acts of unkindness are no substitute for a coherent strategy on and off the pitch.
Wolfsburg went down 3-0 at Schalke, without as much as a whimper of resistance. "We don't find the right way to play together at the moment," said the Brazilian midfielder Diego. But how could they? Magath has already used 21 different players out of his ridiculously large squad of 32, and the constant tactical changes and different lineups are only betraying a lack of any ideas.
After spending the best part of €70m on new players in 18 months, Magath has simply lost the plot. Players keep popping up in unlikely, unsuited positions, then get banished from the squad only to re-appear in other, even more unfamiliar roles some weeks later. The manager's take on Diego's lack of impact was revealing in that respect. "We thought we'd sell him so we didn't put the team together according to his needs," claimed Magath. It all begs one question: according to whose needs exactly has this side been put together?
His raving hire-and-fire – policy and draconian measures have left him with an army of disgruntled ex-charges eager for revenge throughout the league, that's for sure. "Some players are especially motivated against former managers, especially against Felix Magath," noted the S04 midfielder Roman Neustädter. "The fact that Magath constantly runs into players who want to get their own back has become a permanent competitive disadvantage," wrote Süddeutsche Zeitung, only half in jest.
Their third defeat in a row has seen them slip to 17th place. What was supposed to be a challenge for European places in turning into a relegation battle. "The new slogan at the club is 'football is everything'," recalled Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, "but at the moment it's anything but football here".
Magath still feels secure enough to insist that his dictatorial rule at the Volkswagen club will go on – "it's not necessary (to involve more people in the decision-making process)," he said – but the owners surely can't tolerate this rotten run forever. In fact, it's a complete mystery why the company has acquiesced in Magath's particular type of waste management this far.
Talking points
• "Saddam," as Magath used to be called behind his back by some players, wasn't the only manager having a hard time this weekend, however. Stuttgart boss, Bruno Labbadia, lost his cool following his side's 2-2 draw with Leverkusen in light of the crowd's disapproval of his substitution of youngster Raphael Holzhauser. "He told me he was injured," explained Labbadia, before ranting against "untruthful reporting" by the local press. "As a Bundesliga manager, you have to ask yourself, do I take this hard, difficult path or do I say 'kiss my ass?'", he wondered. "We are not the rubbish bins for everyone else, we are not idiots. It can't go on like that."
• That very same thought will have crossed Jürgen Klopp's mind when he saw his team concede a very late 1-1 equaliser for the second time in four days. Hannover 96 sub Mame Biram Diouf rescued a point for the home side in a spectacular match that Dortmund had controlled before three players - Mats Hummels, Sven Bender and Jakub Blaszczykowski - had come off with injuries. Asked about his mood by a TV reporter, a royally pissed-off Klopp pleaded the fifth at the final whistle. "I can't say anything because it'll only be misinterpreted," he claimed. "I have to leave it at me looking like an idiot, standing here in this kind of mood." The champions are nine points adrift of Bayern - 2-0 regulation win over harmless Hoffenheim - but Klopp wouldn't be drawn on that either. "I'm not interested in any leads or deficits, especially after seven games, " he grumbled from underneath his baseball cap.
• Chelsea's on-loan striker Kevin de Bruyne has complained about Germans being "stiff," a "lack of warmth" at Werder and manager Thomas Schaaf not talking to him after the 3-1 defeat at Augsburg. The most shocking, unsettling accusation from his Nieuwsblad interview was not even picked up by the German wires, however. "The training is almost completely tactical," he said, adding that he preferred to run around instinctively. Tactical training? Under Schaaf? Maybe those German lessons that the 21-year-old so casually dismissed - "I don't like it" - might not be a bad idea for him, in order to understand what's really
Quote from: cottagecornerreject on February 14, 2014, 11:38:49 PM
If you think are owner has a clue look at what he's done with his american football club. A disaster. Frankly, I think his sister Chaka would do better.
The Jaguars were already a disaster when Khan bought them. It takes longer to overhaul an NFL team than a team in many other sports because there is less player movement from team to team and much of a team's roster is acquired through the draft (a rough analogy to the academy system), and so it takes a few years for the effects of new management to be seen. I don't follow them closely but from what I've read (and remember hearing when Khan took over Fulham last summer), their fans are happy with the direction his management team has them headed. It remains to be seen whether and how much things will eventually improve for them, but it's very premature to judge an NFL owner on just two years.
I was initially shocked by this decision but can understand the reasoning. Having said that I really liked Rene and felt we had as good a chance of surviving with him than anyone else.
Magath may be a great call and keep us up but the appointment has disaster written all over it in the long term. Given his track record I can see bust ups being a regular occurrence. This appointment doesn't give any sense of stability.
Quote from: ron on February 14, 2014, 11:06:53 PM
Quote from: TonyGilroy on February 14, 2014, 08:05:05 PM
He wasn't sacked - he walked away.
.....Now there's a cue for a song if ever there was one......
Renee gave a interview with BBC on phone, he sais he was sacked http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01s9lsy (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01s9lsy) I have no clue what is going on in Fulham... but... Maggath, can be the right guy, no doubt, but was this the right time?. If we go down will Maggath stay? I am so confused right now I cant even describe it...
Why would we appoint a manager who are current best player (Holtby) hated playing for. Is there anyone left at the club doing gheir homework and making ratiobal decisions? Kahn and Ali Mac can shove off as far as I'm concerned.
It's been difficult for a long time now to understand fully what has been going on with owners, management, coaches and players. It is surprising that Ali Mac is still in place. From the time he took over from Jol, Rene may reflect on why he (Rene) brought in Wilkins, when he had coaches from his time with Man Utd, and Fulham's coaching staff for the U-21 and academy is the best! On the Fulham website, Rene has never been given a title or role - did he never question the fact?
Perhaps Rene should been insistent after Jol, that he had an 18 month contract as Manager - that would have been a clear message and way forward for fans and everyone at the club and show the club's commitment to sustainability and building a successful team for the future (whatever the outcome at the end of this season). Perhaps he should have kept faith with his own capability to lead the club, without bringing other people in.
I wish Rene the very best for his future. I really felt he cared and was committed to the club and relishing his Job (for all the difficulties). I do believe he felt he could make a difference, and provide longevity for the club. Good luck to you, Rene.
When is he having a press conference?
Quote from: BishopsParkFantastic on February 15, 2014, 09:46:20 AM
It's been difficult for a long time now to understand fully what has been going on with owners, management, coaches and players. It is surprising that Ali Mac is still in place. From the time he took over from Jol, Rene may reflect on why he (Rene) brought in Wilkins, when he had coaches from his time with Man Utd, and Fulham's coaching staff for the U-21 and academy is the best! On the Fulham website, Rene has never been given a title or role - did he never question the fact?
Perhaps Rene should been insistent after Jol, that he had an 18 month contract as Manager - that would have been a clear message and way forward for fans and everyone at the club and show the club's commitment to sustainability and building a successful team for the future (whatever the outcome at the end of this season). Perhaps he should have kept faith with his own capability to lead the club, without bringing other people in.
I wish Rene the very best for his future. I really felt he cared and was committed to the club and relishing his Job (for all the difficulties). I do believe he felt he could make a difference, and provide longevity for the club. Good luck to you, Rene.
Spot on.
Thank you Rene, you will have a fine future as manager. Sorry it's not with us.
If Magath had been bought in and Rene had stayed as head coach. We would be verry content right now. As it is, it appears a very typical, clumsy Fulham appointment
Quote from: zander on February 15, 2014, 12:05:02 AM
Magath may be a great call and keep us up but the appointment has disaster written all over it in the long term. Given his track record I can see bust ups being a regular occurrence. This appointment doesn't give any sense of stability.
Agreed. And his reputation is not exactly going to help us persuade transfer targets to sign for us!
Nor will his approach encourage players to want to stay on with us if we are relegated.
Football players are whimps compared with boxers, track athletes, tennis players. The most pain they endure is a visit to the tattoo parlour.
I'm not sure that being a nasty piece of work and hard task master aren't essential qualities for success as a football manager.
It amazes me how so many on here are so expert regarding Magath, great appointment etc, , tell the truth, without Google and Wili most would not have a clue about him, stick with who you know is what should have happened.
If Felix Magath is so good why wait until now to replace Rene. Rene was appointed Head Coach always leaving a possibility for somebody to be appointed over top of him. Felix the cat has been out of work since 2012 so must have been available. So is it the money that has attracted him or is it that we now have somebody in place to try and bring us straight back up that has attracted us to him. The timings seem all wrong to me. Jol's sacking too late Rene's tenure too short I am also wondering whether Khan and Alaister really are living in cloud cuckoo land I am confused. Can it work or will it work. Who is next for the chop? could it be Mr Macintosh himself?
Quote from: epsomraver on February 15, 2014, 11:31:33 AM
It amazes me how so many on here are so expert regarding Magath, great appointment etc, , tell the truth, without Google and Wili most would not have a clue about him, stick with who you know is what should have happened.
I know nothing except what I've read in the last 12 hours.
For better or worse we have him so let's hope for the best.
Quote from: TonyGilroy on February 15, 2014, 11:35:26 AM
Quote from: epsomraver on February 15, 2014, 11:31:33 AM
It amazes me how so many on here are so expert regarding Magath, great appointment etc, , tell the truth, without Google and Wili most would not have a clue about him, stick with who you know is what should have happened.
I know nothing except what I've read in the last 12 hours.
For better or worse we have him so let's hope for the best.
That wasn't aimed at you Tony at all but to the general "knowledgeable " :023: other posters on here
Magath is a nutjob with a great record of short term success. He saved a few teams in situations like this from relegation in the Bundesliga. He's also won Bundesliga three times (2x Bayern, 1x Wolfsburg).
Quote from: Jack Fulham on February 15, 2014, 11:48:44 AM
Magath is a nutjob with a great record of short term success. He saved a few teams in situations like this from relegation in the Bundesliga. He's also won Bundesliga three times (2x Bayern, 1x Wolfsburg).
Wolfsburg went down 3-0 at Schalke, without as much as a whimper of resistance. "We don't find the right way to play together at the moment," said the Brazilian midfielder Diego. But how could they? Magath has already used 21 different players out of his ridiculously large squad of 32, and the constant tactical changes and different lineups are only betraying a lack of any ideas.
Sound familiar? Also is this the mighty Wolsburg that Little old Fulham dumped out the Europa?
Felix Magath the manager "of pain" :Haynes The Maestro:
This will be a hard time for each player !
The deed is done.
Now we have to get behind the bloke, and the team. Don't condemn before he's even started. It's not his fault that Rene was sacked, any more than it was Rene's fault that Jol was sacked.
Maybe this will be the catalyst that will save us from the drop.
Quote from: 11friends on February 15, 2014, 11:53:35 AM
Felix Magath the manager "of pain" :Haynes The Maestro:
This will be a hard time for each player !
Even harder for the paying fan to watch by the sound of it!
Quote from: epsomraver on February 15, 2014, 11:51:38 AM
Quote from: Jack Fulham on February 15, 2014, 11:48:44 AM
Magath is a nutjob with a great record of short term success. He saved a few teams in situations like this from relegation in the Bundesliga. He's also won Bundesliga three times (2x Bayern, 1x Wolfsburg).
Wolfsburg went down 3-0 at Schalke, without as much as a whimper of resistance. "We don't find the right way to play together at the moment," said the Brazilian midfielder Diego. But how could they? Magath has already used 21 different players out of his ridiculously large squad of 32, and the constant tactical changes and different lineups are only betraying a lack of any ideas.
Sound familiar? Also is this the mighty Wolsburg that Little old Fulham dumped out the Europa?
Yes, we can all pick and choose are quotes I suppose. As I said a nutjob with short term success if you look at first stint at Wolfsburg, it started beating relegation, coming 2nd and then winning the title the following season. Clearly the guy is a bit crazy but maybe that is what we need to stay up. Not saying its the right appointment but its the latest card we've been dealt.
Plenty of stuff, good and bad to read in here re Magath http://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1xy3w3/okay_rsoccer_felix_magath_is_not_literally_satan/ (http://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/1xy3w3/okay_rsoccer_felix_magath_is_not_literally_satan/)
Quote from: epsomraver on February 15, 2014, 11:48:25 AM
Quote from: TonyGilroy on February 15, 2014, 11:35:26 AM
Quote from: epsomraver on February 15, 2014, 11:31:33 AM
It amazes me how so many on here are so expert regarding Magath, great appointment etc, , tell the truth, without Google and Wili most would not have a clue about him, stick with who you know is what should have happened.
I know nothing except what I've read in the last 12 hours.
For better or worse we have him so let's hope for the best.
That wasn't aimed at you Tony at all but to the general "knowledgeable " :023: other posters on here
Yeah I know - everyone but you and me. The rest are just wasting our time.
Quote from: rusty shackleford on February 14, 2014, 09:26:32 PM
He drinks tea at his pressers. I like it
I hope thats a White Mao Feng or a nice Camomile, Felix
(http://mediadb.kicker.de/news/1000/1020/1100/3000/artikel/768230/magath_tee-1335633312_zoom34_crop_800x600_800x600%2B95%2B23.jpg)
alternatively...
(http://e2.365dm.com/14/02/402x210/felix-magath_3083873.jpg?20140214203456)
Quote from: WhiteJC on February 15, 2014, 01:39:19 PM
Quote from: rusty shackleford on February 14, 2014, 09:26:32 PM
He drinks tea at his pressers. I like it
I hope thats a White Mao Feng or a nice Camomile, Felix
(http://mediadb.kicker.de/news/1000/1020/1100/3000/artikel/768230/magath_tee-1335633312_zoom34_crop_800x600_800x600%2B95%2B23.jpg)
alternatively...
(http://e2.365dm.com/14/02/402x210/felix-magath_3083873.jpg?20140214203456)
....I didn't think they allowed photography at AA meetings.......
let me just say that i'm gutted rene was sacked, i think he was doing everything right with us, and we had a decent english backroom staff to go with it. However i will say that magath is a top manager in the bundesliga, won it 3 times in the last 10 years. Been in charge of a majority of the top clubs in that league. Lets just see how it goes, he worked with reither and dejagah when they won the league. Just get behind the guy and see how it goes, stop moaning and try and help the situation
Magath has been appointed to cut the wage bill. He will achieve this with his method of fining players for misdemeanors.
A lot of comments on this board during the last 24 hours are mainly supporters opinions. That's all, opinions. So let's actually look at some facts.
Rene, nice man I know, wasn't doing it. It's ok pointing out a couple of improvements in our last two matches performance wise, but we still weren't that brilliant. And shouldn't we be expecting better performances anyway.
Fact, the games against Swansea, Southampton, Sunderland and Sheffield Utd, we were woeful. In fifty years of watching Fulham, the cup game was probably the most embarrassed and ashamed I have ever been. At least in the old days when we were dross, the players were dross as well, unlike today's highly paid "stars".
Fact, Felix has won three German league titles, and saved other clubs from what was deemed to be certain relegation. If he's upset certain people in the process, so be it. But are those facts or just opinions again.
I hope Rene does stay on in a coaching capacity, but highly unlikely. One last thing, when he was at Brondby, didn't he leave because of a fallout of some description. Fact or another opinion??
Either never recruit Rene, or give him time. This is the stupidest option Khan could have picked in my opinion.
It's quite possible that Felix was the original target to replace Jol. Maybe management never gave the title to René because he never was intended to be gaffer. If so, the club should have advised René of that at the time. I do think they treated him shabbily. I truly hope they can work it out with hi and have him stay on as coach.
For me it is not about who is better
It is the way this was handled
Announced on SKY After 17:00 on a Friday night
No news on the main site
Main site crashes
@ 19:00 News of The Cat's appointment
no other news
A day after that announcement
This is the main FulhamFC site
http://www.fulhamfc.com/the-teams/staff (http://www.fulhamfc.com/the-teams/staff)
It is friggin .................................. mortifying.
Bring back Tommy Guthrie......
...Meulensteen was not afforded the time that his predecessor, who is the cause of all the current ills was given. Had RM been appointed earlier I believe he would have been the long term future of the club, I strongly believe that he will 'do' a Bobby Robson and make his fortunes elsewhere that will benefit another club and we will rue his leaving.
We all seem bemused that Rene started so well and then Curbishley and the crab were appointed and we consequently 'went off the boil', so why were they appointed rather than instead bringing in Magath as manager and RM coaching with the later intention of bringing RM in as manager having learned from Ferguson and Magath and for the long term good of Fulham FC..?
Quote from: vagrant on February 15, 2014, 05:41:41 PM
A lot of comments on this board during the last 24 hours are mainly supporters opinions. That's all, opinions. So let's actually look at some facts.
Rene, nice man I know, wasn't doing it. It's ok pointing out a couple of improvements in our last two matches performance wise, but we still weren't that brilliant. And shouldn't we be expecting better performances anyway.
Fact, the games against Swansea, Southampton, Sunderland and Sheffield Utd, we were woeful. In fifty years of watching Fulham, the cup game was probably the most embarrassed and ashamed I have ever been. At least in the old days when we were dross, the players were dross as well, unlike today's highly paid "stars".
Fact, Felix has won three German league titles, and saved other clubs from what was deemed to be certain relegation. If he's upset certain people in the process, so be it. But are those facts or just opinions again.
I hope Rene does stay on in a coaching capacity, but highly unlikely. One last thing, when he was at Brondby, didn't he leave because of a fallout of some description. Fact or another opinion??
the fact is success at one club is no guarantee of success elsewhere
fact rhe man hasn't coached in england and knows nothing of our league
fact rene picked up a dreadful sqaud and has just purchased a number of exciting new players, the two performances against two of the best teams in the land showed that we were probably going to do really well in the coming games
fact changing the manager three times in a season almost always fails.
it depends which facts you want to think are more persuasive
if the object is survival the board have in fact picked the higher risk strategy.
The word "fact" is verboten I thought
Quote from: LBNo11 on February 15, 2014, 06:20:41 PM
...Meulensteen was not afforded the time that his predecessor, who is the cause of all the current ills was given. Had RM been appointed earlier I believe he would have been the long term future of the club, I strongly believe that he will 'do' a Bobby Robson and make his fortunes elsewhere that will benefit another club and we will rue his leaving.
We all seem bemused that Rene started so well and then Curbishley and the crab were appointed and we consequently 'went off the boil', so why were they appointed rather than instead bringing in Magath as manager and RM coaching with the later intention of bringing RM in as manager having learned from Ferguson and Magath and for the long term good of Fulham FC..?
I watched that nice interview with Rene/Wilkins and something on here confuses me, it is quite clear that Rene knew wilkins likes him and as Rene is reputed to be one of the best coaches around he quite clearly wants wilkins next to him, i am sure that he knows wilkins capability as a coach much more than any of us, all we remember is his time as manager, and that was a long time ago, things change he has had many years to learn his coaching and was very successfull at Chelsea, so really what i am asking is why do so many people dislike him and feel he is responsible for some of the way we play, and yet when Jol was here i was quite plainly put in my place when i was told that Jol was totally responsible for everything, so surely this must also apply to Rene, and for the record Rene great coach but don't feel he was/is strong enough to deal with the ins and outs of management.
Fact: Jol and Rene had the exact same record in their 13 Prem matches each.
Fact: We played nice football in Rene's first four matches and got three total points.
Fact: All of us knew we needed at least 7 and more likely 9 points from the matches over New Year's, and we got six, including a 1-4 at home to Sunderland
Fact: Our FA Cup loss was a travesty
Fact: We played our hearts out the last two matches, and got one point.
Fact: Fulham allowed 2 goals a match IN THE SECOND HALF under Rene
We can all think Rene was nice (seems so), promising as a manager (possibly), that Magath won't last more than a calendar year even if he saves us (possible), that Fulham could have handled this better (yes).
That doesn't change ...
Fact: Magath won the Bundesliga three times and has saved multiple clubs from relegation, which is a billion times more than what Rene has done as a manager.
We may end up in a weird spot next season, but this move gives us a better chance to survive, imo. (That's an opinion.)
Quote from: grandad on February 15, 2014, 03:09:27 PM
Magath has been appointed to cut the wage bill. He will achieve this with his method of fining players for misdemeanors.
And how much do you think it cost to employ
him.
Quote from: ron on February 15, 2014, 01:42:50 PM
Quote from: WhiteJC on February 15, 2014, 01:39:19 PM
Quote from: rusty shackleford on February 14, 2014, 09:26:32 PM
He drinks tea at his pressers. I like it
I hope thats a White Mao Feng or a nice Camomile, Felix
(http://mediadb.kicker.de/news/1000/1020/1100/3000/artikel/768230/magath_tee-1335633312_zoom34_crop_800x600_800x600%2B95%2B23.jpg)
alternatively...
(http://e2.365dm.com/14/02/402x210/felix-magath_3083873.jpg?20140214203456)
....I didn't think they allowed photography at AA meetings.......
If he can drink beer like that, he's my kind of guy! :beer:
Quote from: grandad on February 15, 2014, 03:09:27 PM
Magath has been appointed to cut the wage bill. He will achieve this with his method of fining players for misdemeanors.
Senderos left for fear of bankruptcy
First of all Magath strikes me as very intelligent man, a football expert, a hard worker, a guy who acknowledges the greatness of others (not his own player while they are active...), a manager who is old school when it comes to training methods, but who is very modern in other areas (supports the introduction of goal line technology and is active on Facebook where he shares his thoughts from time to time in German).
His players usually hate him.
Theoretically, fans should like him, because he demands from his players that they are professionally and train hard to be in the best shape they can be and justify being paid so much more than the average people in the stands.
In Wolfsburg, a small-town club with a big budget (sponsored by Volkswagen), it worked well. The players hated him, alright, but, like one player explained in an interview, that collective hate brought the team close together and they did win the championship against all odds.
I think in Germany, his failure at Schalke, where he did a great job in the first year (Raul signed with them because of Magath and didn't regret it) but was on bad terms with the powerful fan organizations there, and the second time at Wolfsburg (where he made people scratch their heads because of excessive player trades), his reputation has somewhat suffered, so going to Fulham gives him a chance to start on a somewhat clean sheet again.
In order to make it work, he needs players who are committed to winning more than anything and who buy into his believes that you can only be successful if you are in good physical shape (which should go without saying, really). The problem is that there will always be disgruntled players, who warm the bench or a seat in the grand stands or, even worse, will have been called lazy by the manager. Those players might start influencing other and with the power players have these days, there is always the possibility that they start playing against the manager, so that he gets sacked.
I think Magath is very intelligent, but maybe he should start opening himself a bit more to his players. In Germany, there is a whole generation of younger coaches who are like big brothers to their players. Players like to play for them and that might work better in the long run than being a "dictator".
I am gone for 2 days... What the hell just happened... :58:
Quote from: MisfitKid on February 16, 2014, 05:26:07 AM
I am gone for 2 days... What the hell just happened... :58:
Me too. Just got back from a weekend away. I feel like Ive been hit over the head. I should have stayed away. Wilsons Promontory...Squeaky Beach....paradise. Then I come back to this cluster fcuk.
It's now 12 years since Magath arrived
February 2014 - September 2014.
Never forget.
Felix Wolfgang Magath, the nightmare your mother told you about.
The whole experience Scarred me for life. I am still having treatment with the Samaritans, and counselling at the local asylum for lost causes.
It was so traumatic and effected some more that others, that it went so far as to cause myself and 5 other sturdy supporters to prevent Blingo from jumping off Putney Bridge at high tide with a 50lb Dumbell strapped to each leg.
Really hope that Tudor has the Magath effect on Spurs. Overworking them in training so they down tools. Still think they will sadly get out of it but hope they come away with a real humbling this weekend. We haven't had any landslide victories this year - generally games have been narrow victories or defeats. A big home win would be lovely and would set the tone for the Spurs players to start waving the white flag on their sinking ship.
How the dictator Magath was selected by the board to be the new boss still boggles the mind today.
Twelve years later and he's still talked about!
I bet the hammy end bogs were a disgrace when he was conscripted!
Quote from: WhiteJC on February 15, 2014, 01:39:19 PMQuote from: rusty shackleford on February 14, 2014, 09:26:32 PMHe drinks tea at his pressers. I like it
I hope thats a White Mao Feng or a nice Camomile, Felix
(http://mediadb.kicker.de/news/1000/1020/1100/3000/artikel/768230/magath_tee-1335633312_zoom34_crop_800x600_800x600%2B95%2B23.jpg)
alternatively...
(http://e2.365dm.com/14/02/402x210/felix-magath_3083873.jpg?20140214203456)
:slap:
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on February 24, 2026, 02:26:32 PMFelix Wolfgang Magath, the nightmare your mother told you about.
The whole experience Scarred me for life. I am still having treatment with the Samaritans, and counselling at the local asylum for lost causes.
It was so traumatic and effected some more that others, that it went so far as to cause myself and 5 other sturdy supporters to prevent Blingo from jumping off Putney Bridge at high tide with a 50lb Dumbell strapped to each leg.
He was appalling. Surprised he didn't hire a cheesemonger into the physiotherapy department to lead the cheese healing muscle injury treatment programme ... ::angry::
Which psychopath bumped this thread to the top of FoF - gave me a heart attack for a second!
Quote from: Neutral Zone Ultra on May 14, 2026, 12:56:24 PMWhich psychopath bumped this thread to the top of FoF - gave me a heart attack for a second!
::tongue::
Havent eaten cheese since Mr Woolley stopped me from jumping off of le pont Putney
Is it really 12 years?We'd seemed established as a mid table Prem club, but things suddenly began to fall apart under Jol, and we sank down the table, Jol left, and we had the chaos of several different managers in a short space of time - panic had set in.
I remember going down to the Cottage for a must win game against Hull, and we were winning with our the French cb/fb's goal,cant remember his name, but Hull got a last minute equaliser.
Then I went to Stoke, for another last minute attempt to save ourselves, but we lost of course.
Then Magath threatened to take us down again, got rid of most experienced players and playing a team of youngsters, with Scott Parker as captain - I remember him paying the fine of two youngsters for being late, I think. Things were desperate until Kit Symons came in and steadied the ship.
Quote from: RaySmith on May 14, 2026, 04:00:41 PMIs it really 12 years?We'd seemed established as a mid table Prem club, but things suddenly began to fall apart under Jol, and we sank down the table, Jol left, and we had the chaos of several different managers in a short space of time - panic had set in.
I remember going down to the Cottage for a must win game against Hull, and we were winning with our the French cb/fb's goal,cant remember his name, but Hull got a last minute equaliser.
Then I went to Stoke, for another last minute attempt to save ourselves, but we lost of course.
Then Magath threatened to take us down again, got rid of most experienced players and playing a team of youngsters, with Scott Parker as captain - I remember him paying the fine of two youngsters for being late, I think. Things were desperate until Kit Symons came in and steadied the ship.
Magath thought he could steam roller the championship with youngsters who had barely kicked a ball before under his dictatorship.
We were bloody lucky we didn't get a double relegation that season after the carnage he left behind when he was booted out of office.
He also ruined a few youngsters careers
Cameron Burgess springs to mind
Quote from: sunburywhite on May 14, 2026, 06:01:31 PMHe also ruined a few youngsters careers
Cameron Burgess springs to mind
And Vigen Christensen.
Quote from: Neutral Zone Ultra on May 14, 2026, 12:56:24 PMWhich psychopath bumped this thread to the top of FoF - gave me a heart attack for a second!
I'm sure it panicked quite a few on here!
The return of Magath. :slap:
Quote from: FFC007 on May 15, 2026, 09:46:49 AMQuote from: Neutral Zone Ultra on May 14, 2026, 12:56:24 PMWhich psychopath bumped this thread to the top of FoF - gave me a heart attack for a second!
I'm sure it panicked quite a few on here!
The return of Magath. :slap:
This would be quite the redemption arc (assuming we don't go down again)
Quote from: sunburywhite on May 14, 2026, 06:01:31 PMHe also ruined a few youngsters careers
Cameron Burgess springs to mind
In fairness Burgess has had a pretty decent career, was playing regularly for Ipswich in the Prem.
When Fulham appointed Felix Wolfgang Magath.
It was not just a case of shooting themselves in the foot, they actually succeeded in blowing the foot completely off.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on May 15, 2026, 11:38:05 AMWhen Fulham appointed Felix Wolfgang Magath.
It was not just a case of shooting themselves in the foot, they actually succeeded in blowing the foot completely off.
Not to worry, bit of cheese will sort that right out.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on May 15, 2026, 11:38:05 AMWhen Fulham appointed Felix Wolfgang Magath.
It was not just a case of shooting themselves in the foot, they actually succeeded in blowing the foot completely off.
Should have done it in the hammy end..