Schalke boss Magath plans to meet unhappy fans

Schalke coach Felix Magath plans to meet with Schalke supporters to find out why are they unhappy with some of his players, one of whom has been even spat on.

Magath, who took over at Schalke this season after leading Wolfsburg to its first Bundesliga title, will meet with representatives of various fan groups Thursday.

At Schalke’s last home game, a 1-0 loss to Freiburg, the fans jeered and booed defender Rafinha and midfielder Ivan Rakitic. The fans appeared to be angry at a report that Rafinha was leaving the club, which turned out to be untrue. It was not clear why the fans objected to Rakitic.

“Many fans were not happy with the performance of the team and it’s their right,” Magath said Wednesday. “But people have to know that they don’t make a player better by whistling and that they are damaging the whole team that way.”

Schalke fans also jeered and spat at Albert Streit, a midfielder relegated to the reserves when the B side played a recent match. Streit apparently angered fans by saying he would see through his well-paid contract even if he did not play.

Magath condemned the fans’ behavior although he said he could understand their reaction.