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But he insists the tide was already turning under Rene Meulensteen - who was ruthlessly replaced by the German earlier this month.

Curbishley was axed as technical director, along with Meulensteen and assistant coach Ray Wilkins, when Magath arrived at Craven Cottage.

But Curbishley said: “Rene will be disappointed because the two games previously against Manchester United - where we drew - and against Liverpool, when we led twice, we felt the tide was turning a little bit.

“The owner decided after the Liverpool game he was going to make a change.

“There was a change of manager who decided he wanted to bring his own staff in, and that is always a consequence of managerial changes.

“I understood it, I respected it, but I was a little bit disappointed because - when I went into Fulham - the role I had was something the club needed.

“Rene had never been a manager before and I was there to advise and offer my opinion on things, as was Ray Wilkins.

“There are some inexperienced managers in the Premier League such as Tim Sherwood at Tottenham and Garry Monk at Swansea, so there is a role for ex-managers to be mentors. But unfortunately it only lasted seven weeks.”

Magath was denied a win on his debut in the dug-out when keeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s howler allowed West Brom to score a late equaliser at the Hawthorns.

That left Fulham rooted to the bottom of the table - but three-time Bundesliga winner Magath’s side are still only four points from safety.

Curbishley said: “Felix was a fantastic player, top class, been there, done that and won most things.

“He did the double with Bayern Munich and is full of confidence, and believes he has the tools to make Fulham survive.”