Farfan loving life after Magath

Published Apr. 6, 2011 2:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jefferson Farfan has slammed former Schalke coach Felix Magath, insisting the mood at the Bundesliga club is much improved following his exit.

Magath left Schalke under a cloud amid dressing room disharmony, despite leading the club to the DFB-Pokal final and the last eight of the Champions League.

Ralf Rangnick was subsequently brought in as Magath's replacement, with the new man masterminding last night's remarkable 5-2 win over Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the San Siro.

"The psychological pressure of Mr Magah has gone and now we are enjoying ourselves again at Schalke," Farfan told Sport Bild magazine.

"The new coach is trying to construct a relationship of faith with the players."

Farfan had a stormy relationship with Magath and had been expected to move on in the summer. However, he concedes things have improved under Rangnick and can now see himself staying with the club long term.

"I am very happy at Schalke and I will do everything for this club," he said. "Schalke is my priority."

He added: "The problems between Mr Magath and myself were undeniable. There was no communication flow - the only time he would talk to me was when he was giving me a fine.

"It was just work, work, work. The time under Magath was a huge strain psychologically."

Farfan tried to leave the club in January with a move to Wolfsburg mooted. Had the transfer gone through, however, he would subsequently have found himself back under Magath's influence after the 57-year-old returned to the club as coach just days after leaving Schalke.

"I would have dropped dead," Farfan joked when asked what his reaction would have been to that scenario.

"I have considered what it would have been like and I think I would have terminated my contract and gone home to Peru.

"I would rather have shifted earth and stones back there than play under Magath."