Nostalgic reunion for ex-VfB boss Magath

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1328 votes: 2

17.11.2006

Who, you may wonder, coached VfB Stuttgart the last time they beat Bayern Munich? And who was at the Stuttgart helm, the last time VfB travelled to Bavaria as Bundesliga leaders? The answer is, of course, Felix Magath. The man who now calls the shots at Bayern faces his former club at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, just as developments down in Swabia have become strongly reminiscent of the Magath era at VfB.

Stuttgart have stormed to the top of the league with a team largely comprising dynamic young hopefuls plucked from their own ranks. "VfB have rediscovered their commitment to younger players, and they in turn have repaid it in full. Young teams always play refreshing, attacking football," the Munich coach remarked – and in this case, successfully too, he might have added.

New VfB, same as the old VfB

Stuttgart have only visited Munich as the Bundesliga table-toppers once in their history. That was back in December 2003 and ended in a 1-0 defeat at the Olympic stadium, although VfB avenged that reverse with a 3-1 victory on their home ground the following spring, their most recent win against Bayern.

Two and a half years have passed since that match in May 2004, during which time dramatic change has swept through the Swabian club. Only four of the players who tasted victory over Bayern remain in the current squad, but Magath believes his ex-club has assembled "a group with a real future," as Gomez, Tasci and Khedira take over where Lahm, Hleb and Kuranyi left off.

Experience could carry the day

"It's a totally different team," the Reds boss commented. The coaching position has seen a few changes too: Magath took the hot seat in February 2001 with the club languishing in 17th place, before leading a resurgence which saw Stuttgart finish second at the end of the 2002-3 campaign and undertake a first-ever Champions League adventure the following season. Magath switched to Munich in July 2004.

The Bayern supremo reckons his current team's greater experience could give them a decisive edge on Saturday. "Young players tend to overdo it, but experienced players have the vision and tactical nous," he observed. "I'm assuming experience will carry the day."