Ottmar Hitzfeld is one of the most successful coaches in the world. The Lörracher won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich and won seven German championship titles. He turns 75 on January 12th.
SWR Sport: Ottmar Hitzfeld, how will you celebrate your 75th birthday?
Ottmar Hitzfeld: I will do this in a small family circle, I don’t need a lavish party with illustrious guests. I’m doing well and enjoying the slower pace of life as a pensioner.
If you could have a surprise guest at your small celebration, who would you like to have with you?
I have a special relationship with Helmut Benthaus. He was my biggest supporter when I was a young footballer. At 22, I was top scorer at FC Lörrach in the top amateur league, but I wanted to achieve more. So I wrote down the phone number of Benthaus, who was the coach at FC Basel at the time, from the phone book and called him. He then invited me to a trial training session. Benthaus became master coach of VfB Stuttgart in 1984. Today he lives in Basel again. He is now 88.
You have experienced all the ups and downs of a coaching life. Who or what gave you the strength and energy you needed all these years?
My wife Beatrix and my son Matthias always had my back. My wife in particular was firmly by my side even during the tougher times. I am very grateful to her for that. Without her I wouldn’t have had these successes. In addition, my Christian faith and my positive attitude to life helped me a lot.
Strong together: Beatrix and Ottmar Hitzfeld
In the past, it was the sporting successes that motivated you and made you proud. What makes you happy today?
Today I live in the here and now and enjoy everyday life. I like to get bread rolls and stock up on newspapers in the morning. Or I’m happy when I can spend time with my grandchildren.
In 2004 you had to take a break from coaching for a good two years due to burnout. At that time, the topic of “mental health” was still considered taboo. How do you see the current development in which more and more professionals like Robin Gosens, Timo Baumgartl and Nils Petersen are speaking openly about this topic?
The topic of mental health has been neglected for far too long. Fortunately, today you can count on psychological support in competitive sports. In my time, this issue was not discussed in public. When I had to take time out because of my burnout and even turned down the offer to become DFB national coach, we kept quiet about the real reasons. Unfortunately, the time was not yet ripe for a more open approach back then.
Pop star Marius Müller-Westernhagen, who also recently turned 75, said: “Life is a series of mistakes. It’s important to learn from them and grow.” What mistakes have you learned the most from in your life?
He’s right. We are all human and make mistakes. I too have made mistakes. But I think my self-reflection after all the games, especially after defeats, helped me a lot and helped me further in my development.
As a former top scorer for VfB Stuttgart (38 goals in 77 games between 1975 and 1978), you still have an eye on your former club. What impression does coach Sebastian Hoeneß make on you?
Sebastian Hoeneß is still young at 41, but has already matured into a personality. He makes a confident impression on me. I think he played the biggest part in Stuttgart’s soaring heights with their current Champions League place.
The Swiss national team, which you coached until you retired in 2014, is Germany’s preliminary round opponent at EURO 2024. What do you think Switzerland can do with coach Murat Yakin at the EURO?
Switzerland has an outstanding generation of players and, in Murat Yakin, a calm and objective coach who always sets his team up perfectly. In my opinion, Germany are favorites, but I’m betting on a draw.
Many German football fans are worried about coach Julian Nagelsmann’s DFB team with a view to EURO 2024. You too?
For me, Germany is one of the favorites at this home European Championship. I have great trust in Julian Nagelsmann. He will let his team perform with the necessary self-confidence.
