"Win the game through hard work"
Instead of Felix Magath taking his place next to Fredi Bobic for his first pre-match press conference since joining the club, it was assistant coach Mark Fotheringham who took over media duties ahead of the match against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (Saturday, 19.03.22 at 15:30 CET). Magath had tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday, and has been self-isolating at home since then. “There’s a good mix of youth and experience within the team, which is important. Everyone was paying attention to what we have prepared,” said Fotheringham, who will be on the sidelines this weekend. “We are really going though it at the moment, but overcoming setbacks like this can help bring us closer together. ‘Now or never,’ that has to be our aim,” Bobic said about the situation. Hear from the duo on…
...Felix Magath testing positive for Covid-19:
Fredi Bobic: Felix Magath called me very quickly to say that he felt as if he had caught something. The test only confirmed his suspicion. The most important thing is that Felix is doing well. We are really going though it at the moment, but overcoming setbacks like this can help bring us closer together. ‘Now or never,’ that has to be our aim.
...his first days at Hertha BSC:
Mark Fotheringham: It isn’t an easy situation, but my focus is on influencing what we can bring to the pitch on the weekend. We have seen some good work in training this week, which I’m very pleased with. There’s a good mix of youth and experience within the team, which is important. Everyone was paying attention to what we have prepared. We now need to show that on the pitch, as we want to win these three points for Hertha!
...communicating with the head coach:
Fredi Bobic: Felix Magath is in close exchange with his coaching staff and will also be able to contribute during the game. Felix will speak to the team and communicate with Mark during the game. There won’t be any issues there, especially with Mark being able to make decisions from the touchline as well. He has our full support and will direct the game how he sees fit.
...the game plan vs. Hoffenheim:
Mark Fotheringham: Within the coaching staff, we have come up with a clear plan of what we want to do and achieve this week. It’s important that we bring what what we have worked on during training into the game on Saturday. We are tackling this challenge together, with the entire staff and the entire team. We are focused but also staying relaxed. What’s happened in the past doesn’t matter. What does is what we do in the here and now. We need to bring passion and fire into everything we do together.
Fredi Bobic: We need a bit more passion on the pitch – that will be important. We need and want to get our fans on board. We have to show a different body language as we confront these challenges and win the game through hard work.