Magath out, Hitzfeld in at Bayern
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Article summary
Despite leading FC Bayern München to successive German doubles, Felix Magath has been sacked as coach and replaced by his predecessor Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Article body
Despite leading FC Bayern München to successive German doubles in his two seasons at the helm, Felix Magath has been sacked as coach and replaced by his predecessor Ottmar Hitzfeld after the club dropped to fourth place in the Bundesliga. "I had a good time during my spell in charge and am proud of what we achieved," he said.
Success
An elegant creative midfielder in his playing days, the highlight of which was his winning goal for Hamburger SV in the 1983 European Champion Clubs' Cup final against Juventus, Magath proved himself one of Germany's brightest coaches during a four-season spell at VfB Stuttgart prior to his appointment by Bayern in summer 2004. It seemed a marriage made in heaven: Magath's team set a Bundesliga record of 15 successive wins and romped to back-to-back titles, adding the German Cup each season.
Off the pace
Bayern failed to replicate that form on the European stage, however, and did not progress beyond the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals during his tenure. A third successive domestic crown is also in doubt, with Friday's defeat by BV Borussia Dortmund and last night's draw with VfL Bochum 1848 leaving the Reds five points adrift of the leaders Werder Bremen and FC Schalke 04, both of whom have a game in hand.
Madrid next
"We regret having to make this decision," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "Felix has done some great work, winning the double twice, but as club officials we have to react according to the current development of the team. We have made this decision because we were worried about not qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season." Bayern remain in this season's competition, and meet Real Madrid CF in the Round of 32.
European success
Hitzfeld, 58, knows all about reigning supreme in Europe, having guided Bayern to UEFA Champions League glory in 2001 - two years after their dramatic final defeat by Manchester United FC at Camp Nou - and Dortmund in 1997. His previous spell at Bayern, between 1998 and 2004, also reaped four Bundesliga titles and two German Cups.
