Felix Magath didn't live up to his reputation as a "Quälix" in his first training session at Hertha BSC.

Initially, there was no tough conditioning work, but there were training games to get a first direct impression of the pros.

In spring-like weather, the 68-year-old rarely sought direct contact with his players on Tuesday and rather observed them.

Already at his presentation on Monday he had said about his assessment of the team: "I'm not a person who only judges things from a distance.

First I have to get together with the people – I have to see them, I have to hear them, I have to smell them, I have to feel them.

Then I can make a statement. ”One can assume that Magath will look closely in the coming days to see who he believes will be able to remain in the class and who not.

A few minutes after his team, the new coach of the Bundesliga team, which was in acute danger of relegation, entered the pitch on Tuesday.

The session started about 30 minutes late and ended after almost 90 minutes.

Magath took some time for a selfie with a fan and then walked away.

With the appointment of Magath, Hertha and managing director Fredi Bobic caused a big surprise on Sunday, but also earned a lot of malice.

The 68-year-old last worked as a Bundesliga coach in 2012.

Hertha still without a win this year

In terms of sport, Hertha needs to get back on track better today than tomorrow.

Under Magath's hapless predecessor Tayfun Korkut, the capital club haven't won a game this year and slipped to 17th place in the table.

It's time to fight against relegation in the Westend.

On Saturday (3.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky), sixth-placed TSG Hoffenheim will come to the Olympic Stadium.

Compared to his boss, Magath's Scottish assistant Mark Fotheringham was very vocal on Tuesday.

He led the unit mostly.

During an exercise for precise passing and movement, he gave commands again and again, participated himself and cheered on the players, all of whom he already addressed by name, in German with a slight Scottish touch.

“Leave off the handbrake” and “just play” called the 38-year-old, who had already worked as an assistant coach at Karlsruher SC and FC Ingolstadt, to the pros during an eleven-a-side training game, among other things.

Almost the entire squad was available for the Berliners.

Stevan Jovetic and Niklas Stark trained individually due to muscular problems.

For the same reason, Kevin-Prince Boateng stepped back a little.

According to a report by "Bild", the Berliners are working on a commitment from athletics trainer Werner Leuthard, whom Magath knows and who previously worked for Hertha.

Either way, Magath should address possible condition deficits in the coming weeks, especially during the international break.

The sprint hill that already exists at the Hertha training ground may also be used.

On Monday, the 68-year-old wished that the whole city would have to support Hertha in the fight against relegation.

"If our elevators don't work anywhere in the area around the Olympic Stadium: that's what the new Hertha coach wanted," wrote the Berlin transport company on Twitter.