Magath: "I think coaching changes are alibis"

A picture from October 1998: Felix Magath was new coach with Werder Bremen and took the Werder bench for the first time.
First Team
Thursday, 28.04.2011 / 08:59

Werder have taken a big step to avoiding relegation with the victory at St. Pauli. "Now we want to make everything clear in front of our home fans," said Torsten Frings ahead of the game Friday night against Wolfsburg. Things are still dangerous for the Wolves as they are 16th on the table with 32 points. The showdown promises plenty of intrigue...

Werder have taken a big step to avoiding relegation with the victory at St. Pauli. "Now we want to make everything clear in front of our home fans," said Torsten Frings ahead of the game Friday night against Wolfsburg. Things are still dangerous for the Wolves as they are 16th on the table with 32 points. The showdown promises plenty of intrigue - also because Werder's former playmaker Diego returns to his former workplace for the first time. Ahead of the showdown, Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath answered Bremen journalists' questions. WERDER.DE was there and also asked some questions.

Mr. Magath, even though it's been a while, you are returning on Friday night to one of your former workplaces. Is it still something special for you to play at Weser Stadium?
As you correctly said, it's been now 13 years and I think a lot has happened since then. So it's not really special for me anymore. I have looked past my past, but I took something personal from all of my stops.

And what did you take from Bremen?
That a coach also must fit in with the club. And that you cannot work the same anywhere as coach but the environment and conditions are very important for the coach to be successful.

You have really made your rounds around the Bundesliga. Werder meanwhile have relied on the same coach for 12 years. What do you think about this continuity?
This fact speaks for Werder Bremen. During my time there was a phase where they were looking for the right coach for the club after often switching coaches. I think it's excellent that Werder Bremen stand out from nearly the rest of the league in this regard and have also been very successful in it. I always think coaching changes are alibis because other people can be stripped of their responsibility. Usually the coach has to be victimized. What has happened this season is maddening. I don't think that actually makes sense sports-wise for the clubs.

"I am a coach who keeps his distance"

You are not the only one making a return Friday night. Diego will be coming back to Weser Stadium for the first time. What impressions do you have of him from the first couple weeks and what role do you think he can have in the final matches?
We really don't need to talk about the fact that he is a great player. You could see that a long time in Bremen. But a player with his skills and his classiness needs a certain surrounding. And that was certainly more advantageous in Bremen for him than it is here in Wolfsburg. There was a strong structure in Bremen where he was worked in wonderfully and we are still looking for that. But his skills have not diminished and he will still be an important player for our game in the future.

How is your personal relationship with Diego?
You don't have to think that I am looking for a special contact with him even though Diego is probably our most important player. You know that I am a coach who keeps his distance from his players and that goes for Diego as well. We have not had any problems in working together and I think that we can push Wolfsburg forward together in the future.

On Friday, Wolfsburg take on Werder. What do you expect in the match?
Werder found their game in the last couple games and are slowly returning to their old form and usual playing style. In addition, Werder are no longer in the relegation fight after their win at St. Pauli. For them it's now just about finishing off the season strong. On the other hand, we are very strong up front. With Diego, Mandzukic and Grafite, we have strong offensive players and therefore I assume that a lot of goal chances will be created on both sides and a number of goals will be scored.

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