For Heiko Westermann it is no surprise that Hertha BSC is counting on Felix Magath as the new coach in the relegation battle. The ex-national player was captain of Schalke under Magath in the 2009/2010 season. In an interview with SPOX and GOAL, Westermann expects a boost in discipline at the “Big City Club” after Magath’s takeover.
“I wasn’t actually surprised by the news. I think Hertha wanted to get a coach for the last few games who has a certain authority. Felix Magath definitely has it,” Westermann said in an interview SPOX and GOAL.
Westermann doesn’t believe that Magath, known in the Bundesliga as “Quälix” and “Schschleifer” because of his tough training methods, is now tightening the reins extremely in training.
“He won’t let much go now, there’s no time for that.” It’s more about discipline now. Westermann: “Authority will be an important factor in the next few games. And he will be able to take some of the pressure off the players just by being there.”
Westermann on Magath: “If you don’t step on the gas, you don’t play”
Nevertheless, the assistant coach of the U17 national team expects a few changes in the starting XI. “I think he will use players who really want to and who want to go the extra mile. That will be an important point that he wants to see on the pitch and that will determine his starting XI,” said Westermann. “For him, it’s about saving Hertha. He needs a squad on the pitch that he can rely on and that at least gives it gas – and that together. If you don’t do that, you can assume that you will doesn’t play anymore.”
Westermann experienced Magath himself in the 2009/2010 season at Schalke and played 31 games under the coach. “We had an intact team back then. We didn’t have much to do with Felix Magath as a person. He was the coach, someone we respected,” he recalls.
Together, the duo even became runners-up at the end of the season. Now Magath should save Hertha from falling into the second division. Not an easy task for Westermann: “There’s a lot of trouble at Hertha and that’s been the case for the last few years. You always think they’ll recover now, then the next blow will come. Regardless of Felix Magath, staying up in the league will be difficult.”
