The long-time creator of FC Bayern talks about the successful coach – and remembers a special shared experience during difficult times.
Uli Hoeneß recalled a special meeting with former Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld in prison – and revealed moving details. At the unusual reunion there was chocolate. As the former president of FC Bayern Munich, who was imprisoned for tax evasion in 2014, revealed in a “Ruhr Nachrichten” podcast, Hitzfeld was one of his first visitors back then.
Accordingly, the former Munich coach, who coached Bayern from 1998 to 2004 and in a second term from February 2007 to summer 2008, had even traveled to Landsberg in southwest Bavaria the evening before so as not to miss the visiting time. “That’s typical Ottmar Hitzfeld. I would never do that, I would have gotten up at six o’clock and maybe come too late. But no, Ottmar spent the night there so that he could be at the prison gate on time,” said Hoeneß.
Wine was forbidden
Hitzfeld actually wanted to buy wine for the meeting, but this was forbidden by the regulations. According to Hoeneß, visitors could instead “bring two euros and then you can buy chocolate.” According to Hoeneß’ story, they both enjoyed these together. For Hitzfeld, visiting his friend in prison was a matter of honor: “If someone is feeling bad, then you have to give them even more attention when the whole football world is complaining about them. If a friend is being pilloried, then you have to give them the same attention give support.”
In the podcast “Hitzfeld – how BVB became a global club,” the Dortmunder Zeitung recalls the football teacher’s achievements.