1992 to 1993: FC Bremerhaven

Here's where it all began. Magath wound down his active career as player-coach at Bremerhaven, simultaneously easing into his new role on the touchline. In his first year in charge, he led the north coast club to a District League title.

1993 to 1996: Hamburger SV

In the summer of 1993 Magath joined Hamburger SV as reserve- and assistant coach. In 1995 he took charge of the first team and promptly led them to a fifth-place finish in the table. The following season the Red Shorts reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, but had a disappointing league campaign. With two matches to go, the HSV management relieved Magath of his duties. Hamburg finished the season 13th.

1997 to 1998: 1. FC Nürnberg

In the autumn of 1997, Magath picked up the threads of his career in the 2. Bundesliga, at 1. FC Nürnberg. When he took over the reins, the "Club" were occupying a relegation spot. Come the end of the season, they had won promotion back to the top flight. That success notwithstanding, coach and club parted ways once the campaign was over.

1998 to 1999: Werder Bremen

Magath stepped into the job vacated by Wolfgang Sidka at Werder Bremen in October 1998. He led the Hanseatics into the DFB Cup final against Bayern München, but by the time the game came around he was no longer there to experience it. Club and coach went their separate ways in May 1999, with Werder battling to stave off relegation. Thomas Schaaf took over and Bremen won the cup.

1999 to 2001: Eintracht Frankfurt

Things were looking bleak for Eintracht Frankfurt when they went into the winter break of the 1999-2000 season propping up the table, eight points adrift of safety. Come the hour, come the man: Felix Magath was appointed and Eintracht duly stayed up. The following winter promised another season of discontent however and, once again, Magath was packing his bags.

2001 to 2004: VfB Stuttgart

The next strugglers to reach out for Magath's anti-relegation wand were VfB Stuttgart. Once again, the magic worked, VfB finishing the season in 15th place. At that point Magath announced, "This was my final rescue act. I won't be pulling any more teams out of the cellar." Over the course of the next three years he constructed an exciting team around "young guns" Kevin Kuranyi, Alexander Hleb and Andreas Hinkel, guiding Stuttgart to an unexpected runners-up spot in 2003.

2004 to 2007: FC Bayern München

After another year in the Southwest, Magath answered the increasingly inevitable call of Bayern München, taking up the reins from Ottmar Hitzfeld in the summer of 2004. His first season there ended with Bayern adding a league and cup double to their considerable trophy cabinet, a feat they went on to repeat the following year. The team were unable to sustain that high standard in season 3 under Magath and he was consequently released in January 2007.

2007 to 2009: VfL Wolfsburg

Magath headed for Lower Saxony and VfL Wolfsburg in June 2007. In the double role of coach and sporting director he transformed the Wolves into a top Bundesliga outfit within the space of two years. With three of his inspired signings, Edin Dzeko, Zvjezdan Misimovic and Grafite, leading the way, VfL won the title in 2008-09. While they were still storming down the home straight towards it, Magath announced he would be leaving the club for Schalke 04 at the end of the season.

Since July 2009: FC Schalke 04

A long-overdue "Royal Blue miracle" is the modest order of the day now in Gelsenkirchen. Notwithstanding current budget restraints, Schalke are aiming for the very top. "The target is to be celebrating the title within four years at the most", Magath has said. Quarter of the way through his first term in charge, the club are already - unexpectedly or otherwise - within spitting distance of the top.


Compiled by Andreas Messmer / translation Angus Davison