Ottmar Hitzfeld: The Man Who Would Be King – Part One

April 22nd, 2010 | by: Adrian | View Comments

I’ve somehow become quite fond of writing articles as part of a series, or collection of articles. It gives a sense of regularity and something you look forward to writing, and readin, by you – the reader, of course.

After completing the ‘Swiss Squad for the World Cup’ series – I thought that it would be appropriate to profile our coach – Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Herr Hitzfeld is one of the World’s most successful managers – and in my opinion, definately ranks within the top five in the game, and argubly history, along with the likes of Marcello Lippi and Sir Alex Ferguson. Ottmar Hitzfeld is the only manager to ever win the UEFA Champions League with two different clubs.

As a Swiss, I feel privelleged that the Football Association has been able to bring someone of Hitzfeld’s reputation to coach a team not considered to be in the World’s élite.

However, it should not be a surprise as to why Hitzfeld chose to coach Switzerland (given that he hasn’t gone on to take charge of his native Germany). Ottmar Hitzfeld had spent many, many years in Switzerland as both a player and a manager (8 years as a player with 3 clubs, and 10 as a manager at both club and national team level).

I will be bringing to you a four-part series of articles profiling our national team coach – Ottmar Hitzfeld – considered by many as a Swiss – due to his fluency and usage of Swiss-German more often than his use of standard German, with a schedule taking the following shape:

Part One: Introduction (as we have just read)
Part Two: Profile as a player
Part Three: Profile as a club manager
Part Four:Profile as Swiss Coach

Hoping to hear from you all in these upcoming posts.

Keep sending in those comments.

HOPP SCHWIIZ!!!