Fulham captain Brede Hangeland says that new manager Felix Magath has introduced a more disciplined coaching style in a bid to lift the Whites off the foot of the Premier League table.
Speaking to Norwegian newspaper VG, Hangeland admitted that he had been taken aback by the turmoil at Craven Cottage this season that has seen the club employ three managers as they lurched into a relegation struggle and hopes that the club’s troubles are now behind them as they head into the last chance saloon.
Many things have happened behind the scenes which I don’t want talk about. When we have had three different coaches in one season, things have not been particularly stable.
Magath’s regimented ways are different to what Hangeland has previously experienced – but Fulham’s players are happy to embrace the German coach’s methods if it means they can secure Premier League safety for another season.
He is a tough coach, fairly strict. It is quite different to what you are used to in an English club. If it works, it’s great. We train substantially tougher, we train more and have less free time. It’s more German discipline.
The 32 year-old has seen his season substantially interrupted by injuries, making just 25 appearances this term, and hopes the troubles are now behind him.
There have been many health-related issues and other things. I could have written a book about this season. It has been a memorable season, in a negative sense.
I have been lucky to have not been injured or required any surgery in 12 years. It had to come sooner or later. I hope that will be all and that I will not have any more injuries in the remainder of the season.
