Felix Magath, the eccentric former Fulham manager who allegedly proposed that Brede Hangeland heal a thigh ailment with cheese, has been recalled to the Bundesliga.
Despite having previously managed both Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich to Bundesliga titles, the German manager was unable to retain the west London club in the Premier League following the departure of Martin Jol.
The three-time German manager of the year has been offered a contract to coach Hertha Berlin till the end of the season, which brings back memories of his time in England.
The most remarkable story came from Fulham legend Brede Hangeland, who declared his former manager to be a "terrible human being."
ST. POELTEN, AUSTRIA – JUNE 9: Admira's Felix Magath during the tipico Bundesliga match between Spusu SKN St. Poelten and FC Flyeralarm Admira at NV Arena in St. Poelten, Austria on June 9, 2020.
Felix Magath has been recalled to Hertha Berlin's Bundesliga squad.
"I always strive to see the good in people," he stated in 2017. Magath, on the other hand, was a horrible person.
"We returned home to Fulham around 1 a.m. after losing one game." However, between 1 and 2 a.m., he made us run circuits around the track. It was ridiculous."
Former Fulham captain Danny Murphy said on Match of the Day 2 of Magath's counsel to an injured Hangeland: "He brought him a chunk of cheese that had been soaked in bourbon and instructed him to lay it on overnight. This comes straight from the horse's mouth. I'm familiar with the club doctor."
During a break in play during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Fulham at the Hawthorns on February 22, 2014 in West Bromwich, England, Fulham manager Felix Magath (left) talks to his players.
Felix Magath's Fulham were demoted from the Premier League.
A short time later, Magath offered his own version on the story, insisting that it had been taken out of context but acknowledging some truth.
I only recommended that the old wives' tale of adding quark cheese to the damaged area could be worth trying," he stated.
"These fabricated stories from player Hangeland are nonsense. I would never tell a doctor how to treat a patient. Unfortunately, the media has picked up on this issue and misrepresented it."
Felix Magath led Fulham to four victories in his 20 games in charge.
Following the final whistle of the English Premier League football match between Cardiff City and Fulham at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales on March 8, 2014, Fulham's US-born Norwegian defender and captain Brede Hangeland applauds supporters.
Brede Hangeland, a Fulham legend, described Felix Magath as a "terrible human being."
Another account of Magath's time at Fulham came from Steve Sidwell, who told BBC Sport in 2017 that the manager would supervise the consumption of alcoholic beverages on away excursions.
"On away trips, he requested we have supper all together, then it was definitely back to the rooms," Sidwell recalled. However, at 9:00 p.m., everyone had to return to the bar.
"We're not even talking about a soft drink." Every away trip was like this.
"It's obviously a German custom; he didn't compel people to drink; if they wanted a pint, they could have a pint; if they wanted a glass of wine, they could have a glass of wine; whatever they wanted, but he simply wanted everyone together all the time."
Fulham's John Heitinga (R) talks with his manager Felix Magath (L) as they leave the pitch at halftime during a Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Fulham at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke on Trent, England, on May 3, 2014.
Felix Magath is said to have made Fulham players run laps in the early hours of the morning. On several occasions, Magath has retaliated against those who have questioned his methods, implying that English football lags behind its German counterpart.
"I'm as confident as ever that English football can benefit from German attributes," he remarked.
"Unfortunately, they have a hard time accepting things."
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