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18 May 2004
MUNICH – Bayern Munich bosses have told coach Ottmar Hitzfeld he is to be replaced by Stuttgart’s Felix Magath after Saturday’s season-ender against Freiburg, a report said Tuesday.
Bild newspaper said it had information Hitzfeld was given the news at a meeting Monday evening with general manager Uli Hoeness.
Hitzfeld, who has a contract with Bayern until the end of June 2005, will receive compensation of EUR 4.5 million, the report said.
A Bayern spokesman refused to comment.
Bild said that after six years at the club, Hitzfeld will lead the team out for the last time against Freiburg in Munich on Saturday.
“Now this undignified game is over. Now Hitzfeld knows from Bayern that his time in Munich is over,” Bild wrote.
Bayern need to win to secure runner’s up spot and direct qualification for next season’s Champions League.
In a television interview Monday evening, midfielder Michael Ballack said the players were determined to give Hitzfeld a victory if it turned out to be his farewell game.
“Every single player owes it to him to give it his all. Most of them have had great success under Hitzfeld. It’s only right to play for the coach in such a situation,” he said.
DPA
Subject: German news