Magath furious with Schalke´s party boys

Under-fire Schalke 04 coach Felix Magath is threatening to heavily fine a key group of players – including captain Manuel Neuer – for partying hard two days before a German Cup game.

Schalke have been poor this season and are 16th in the Bundesliga with just six points from nine games and face second division FSV Frankfurt in the German Cup on Tuesday.

The Royal Blues were held to a goalless draw in the Bundesliga by Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

But Magath is furious after learning a large group of senior players including Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, US player Jermaine Jones and Germany goalkeeper Neuer had partied until 4am on Sunday morning.

“I expect an answer,” fumed Magath in German daily Bild.

“It will not be sufficient just to get into the next round.

“I want a good game and a clear victory. Let no one come to me and say they are too tired. I will not accept that.

“We will talk about the consequences after the game.”

Having initially been relaxed about his players partying, Magath flew into a rage when hearing the extent of the celebrations after a below-par performance against Frankfurt last Saturday in the Bundesliga.

“I had to find out more about this,” admitted Magath.

“But the decision to go to a club was clearly the wrong one.

“The players are professional athletes and they know full well that performance depends not only on training, but also on regeneration and nutrition.”

The group, which includes at least seven first-team players, know they now need to win comfortably against their second-division opponents.

“Clearly, we need to win and win well,” Huntelaar admitted after training.