Ottmar Hitzfeld Autograph

Profession:
(1949-) German former professional football player (striker) and manager, nicknamed der General ("the general"). He has accumulated a total of 18 major titles, mostly in his tenures with Grasshopper Club Zürich, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich.

Year of Birth: 1949

Ottmar Hitzfeld is a former German football player and one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport. He was born on January 12, 1949, in Lörrach, Germany. Hitzfeld began his playing career as a forward for several lower division teams in Germany, including the now disbanded VfR Lörrach. However, his playing career did not achieve the same level of success as his later coaching career.

After retiring as a player, Hitzfeld shifted his focus to coaching and quickly made a name for himself. He had successful stints at several Swiss clubs before taking charge of Borussia Dortmund in 1991. Under his leadership, Dortmund won two consecutive Bundesliga titles in 1994 and 1995, and also clinched the UEFA Champions League title in 1997.

In 1998, Hitzfeld was appointed as the head coach of Bayern Munich. During his time with the club, he achieved incredible success, winning three Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals, and reaching two Champions League finals. His tenure at Bayern Munich cemented his status as one of the greatest coaches in football history.

After leaving Bayern Munich in 2004, Hitzfeld took a brief hiatus from coaching before returning to helm the Swiss national team in 2008. Under his guidance, Switzerland successfully qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, showcasing Hitzfeld's ability to lead teams to international success as well.

Hitzfeld's coaching style was characterized by discipline, tactical astuteness, and an ability to motivate his players. He was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his emphasis on team unity. He managed to build successful teams by instilling a winning mentality and fostering a sense of collective responsibility.

Throughout his career, Ottmar Hitzfeld received numerous accolades and honors for his achievements. He was named the World Soccer Manager of the Year twice and was awarded the German Football Manager of the Year multiple times. His success as a coach has firmly placed him among the legendary figures of the sport.