Magath's Response: 'If HSV claims we're inferior...' - Magath's Response: "Should the HSV claim we possess superior..."
Longtime Hamburg SV (HSV) figure Felix Magath has voiced surprise and criticism after being denied the opportunity to run for presidency by the club's advisory board. In an interview on NDR's "Sportclub," Magath, 71, suggested that the decision was politically motivated. He clarified that the reasons stated – his purported lack of understanding of the club's statutes and his interest in a supervisory board role instead of the presidency – were unfounded.
Magath, a former player and coach for the club, intended to stand for the presidency at the annual meeting scheduled for June 21st. However, the advisory board, which vets and approves candidates, rejected his application. One reason given was Magath's supposed deeper interest in the supervisory board position to influence the professional football department, as opposed to managing the broader sports club with over 120,000 members.
Magath flatly denied this accusation. He emphasized that he had promised not to make a swift transition to the football board, as other individuals have done. Magath highlighted his consistent support for various HSV departments, including providing computers for the chess team and showing more interest in handball than football, to demonstrate his corporate involvement.
Magath stressed that after coaching in Hamburg, he went on to win three more German championships with Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg, indicating his vast experience in professional football. "No one sitting in a board can fully grasp what it's like to play different roles in professional football for over 50 years," Magath said. "Even after HSV dismissed me in 1997, I found success, winning three championships and two cups."
As a result of the rejection, several HSV members have activated the club's honorary council to reinstate Magath's candidacy. Nevertheless, reversing the advisory board's decision appears to be a long shot. Magath displayed acceptance of the outcome, stating, "I can live with this. I've made countless decisions in my life. I have no issue accepting a decision, even if I don't comprehend it."
Magath, while expressing surprise and criticism, suggested that the rejection of his presidency application by the advisory board might be politically motivated. Despite the advisory board's claim of Magath's interest in the supervisory board role instead of the presidency, he emphasized his commitment to various sports within the club, such as handball, and his extensive experience in professional football, including winning championships post-HSV.
