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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Mark Fotheringham lauded as Hertha boss insists narrative doesn't do Scot justice after superb stand in

Felix Magath has heaped praise on assistant Mark Fotheringham after the Scot took charge of a 3-0 Bundesliga win over Hoffenheim on Saturday.

The Hertha Berlin head coach missed the emphatic victory due to a positive coronavirus test meaning Fotheringham had to stand in.

Scottish broadcaster Derek Rae translated the glowing reaction after the former Celtic youngster masterminded a brilliant result to drag the club out of the relegation zone.

"To put it that way (that Magath coached from his room) doesn’t do the situation justice," Magath told Kicker.

“Most of the work was done by my assistant Mark Fotheringham, on the bench, in training, in conversations with the players.

“It was a really hard situation because we were all new, the players hardly knew us.”

The former Fulham boss was then asked what was he thought was key to the victory over a side chasing a European spot.

Hertha started the day second bottom - an automatic relegation place - but the win propelled them up a place into the play-off spot as the duo look to turn their fortunes around.

Magath added: “The key was clearly that Mark Fotheringham succeeded in conveying to the players, in training, the importance of remaining compact.

“We only allowed one big chance, when we were caught on the counter attack.

“Mark worked on the set pieces, yes. But the effect is dependent on the players."

Former Real Madrid star Sami Khedira - who ended his illustrious career with Hertha also heaped praise on the Dundee -born coach.

The German World Cup winner said: "I have rarely met someone who can bring people with him the way he can.”

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