Felix Magath, coach of current Bundesliga leaders Wolfsburg, will join rivals Schalke at the end of the season.
Wolfsburg announced earlier today that the 55-year-old will leave them when the season ends on May 23 and hours later Schalke confirmed Magath will take on the dual role of team manager and coach for them next season.
Magath admitted he was revealed to finally make his future plans known – albeit poorly timed with his current side chasing the league title.
“I am glad that the decision is finally out, even if I am not really happy about the circumstances,” said Magath.
“After discussions with Wolfsburg’s supervisory board, we had already decided week ago I would leave, but I regret the timing.”
Magath told the Wolfsburg squad on Wednesday morning and says he leaves with his head held high.
“I believe there are good reasons behind my decision,” he said.
“From my point of view, the goals which I agreed on at the beginning of my commitment with Wolfsburg’s board have been reached.
“It was planned to take the team to a higher level and nobody thought we would achieve that within two years.
“I don’t believe someone can work in professional football, on a long-term basis, based on promises.
“And I was fortunate to get a good start to my time here.”
Former Bayern Munich coach Magath, who has signed a four-year contract with Schalke, will take over from both Dutch coach Fred Rutten and team manager Andreas Mueller who were sacked from their roles by Schalke earlier this year.
“We have already reached our sporting targets substantially faster than we planned in the summer of 2007 when I took charge,” added Magath.
“This team is young and is bound to develop more in the future.”
Magath has steered Wolfsburg to the top of the German league this season and Hans-Dieter Poetsch, chairman of Wolfsburg’s board, paid tribute to his work.
“We would like to offer our thanks to Mr Magath for his help over the last two years and for his extraordinary achievement in such a short period of time,” he said.
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