Hitzfeld set to return to coaching next year

[ACBerb]

BERLIN, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Ottmar Hitzfeld, one of Germany's most successful club managers, says he is ready to return to football after next year's World Cup following a two-year break from the game.

The 56-year-old, who won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund (1997) and Bayern Munich (2001), told the German daily Bild that he was open to all offers.

'From July 1, 2006 I will be working as a trainer,' he said. 'Until then I will fulfil my television contract with (German network) Premiere. My rest period is over, my batteries have been recharged.

'I have had a complete break and kept away from football. I've travelled around the world and was in Asia and America,' he said.

'I have played plenty of golf and also learned English and Italian.'

Despite his new language skills, Hitzfeld said he would not definitely be working abroad.

'Everything is possible,' he said. 'I'm open to all offers. I'm also not closing the door on a job in the Bundesliga.'

The paper also speculated that Hitzfeld could be in line to take over as national coach if Juergen Klinsmann did not continue after Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup finals.

Klinsmann striker has yet to commit his future beyond the tournament although Hitzfeld turned down the chance of succeeding Rudi Voeller after Euro 2004.

Hitzfeld won two Bundesliga titles with Dortmund and three with Bayern between 1995 and 2001.

[The Southern Dandy]

I hate how all non-German news wires file these reports from Berlin. I see that and it always gets my hopes up that it's Hertha related.

[ACBerb]

Well maybe it is... you don't see Ottmar coming to Hertha?

[The Southern Dandy]

Not unless Gotz really ****s up at some point this season. If we don't qualify for Europe again, he would probably get the axe.

[ACBerb]

Sportinformationsdienst(sid) Das Comeback von Ottmar Hitzfeld auf der Trainerbank rückt näher. Der 56-Jährige will nach der Weltmeisterschaft 2006 in Deutschland in seinen Job zurückkehren. "Ich steige wieder ein. Ab 1. Juli 2006 werde ich als Trainer arbeiten. Meine Erholungsphase ist vorbei, der Akku wieder aufgetankt", sagte der erfolgreichste deutsche Fußball-Lehrer der Bild-Zeitung (Donnerstags-Ausgabe), ohne jedoch einen möglichen Arbeitgeber zu nennen: "Alles ist möglich. In bin nach allen Seiten offen. Auch einen Job in der Bundesliga schließe ich nicht aus."

Nach seinem Abschied von Bayern München im Sommer 2004 hatte Hitzfeld, der unter anderem mit Borussia Dortmund (1997) und den Bayern (2001) die Champions League gewann, eine Auszeit genommen und als Co-Kommentator für den Pay-TV-Sender Premiere gearbeitet. Seinen Vertrag mit dem Sender bis zum Sommer 2006 will er erfüllen.

Die Zeit ohne Trainerjob hat Hitzfeld nach eigener Aussage gut genutzt und Kraft für das Comeback gesammelt. "Ich habe komplett abgeschaltet und Abstand zum Fußball gewonnen. In der Welt bin ich herumgereist, war in Asien und Amerika. Ich habe viel Golf gespielt, dazu Englisch und Italienisch gelernt", sagte er.

There... better Dandy?

[Baggio]

I've heard Hitzfeld's name banded about with the Newcastle job in recent weeks although I doubt our chairman has ever heard of him...

[ACBerb]

Well he should have if your club has played any CL footy in the late ninties and into the new millennium!

[TheNameOfTheG..]

otmar is one of the best coachs in the world :clap

[max morlock]

Hitzfeld is (was) a great coach but does anybody feel in today's ultra paced modern football world that he is too old and his methods are outdated ?
He looked very stale at Bayern in the last two years and when you see most coaches now being in their 40s (Klinsmann, Benitez, Mourinho) I just wonder is the generation of the likes of Hitzfeld, Ferguson being left behind...

[TheNameOfTheG..]

Hitzfeld is (was) a great coach but does anybody feel in today's ultra paced modern football world that he is too old and his methods are outdated ?
He looked very stale at Bayern in the last two years and when you see most coaches now being in their 40s (Klinsmann, Benitez, Mourinho) I just wonder is the generation of the likes of Hitzfeld, Ferguson being left behind...

Dont think so.

[Max Power]

Hitzfeld is (was) a great coach but does anybody feel in today's ultra paced modern football world that he is too old and his methods are outdated ?

Nope.

I think his two years off was perhaps to refresh himself in the newer styles of play. Albeit, there are no new styles of play, just different players to fill the roles.

Great coach.

[shot_stopper91]

I wonder which club will he coach next summer

[Jay]

Brilliant Manager - I think the only reason things went downhill at Bayern was that both he and they needed something new, much like Lippi and Juve (And increasingly in my opinion, Ferguson and United)- I read that it will be to an English club, and I think Newcastle would seem most probable (Unless Ferugson/Wenger leave) - An ambitious club, big fan-base, some fantastic players and money to spend, he'd do a fantastic job for them.

[Timonator]

Brilliant Manager - I think the only reason things went downhill at Bayern was that both he and they needed something new, much like Lippi and Juve (And increasingly in my opinion, Ferguson and United)- I read that it will be to an English club, and I think Newcastle would seem most probable (Unless Ferugson/Wenger leave) - An ambitious club, big fan-base, some fantastic players and money to spend, he'd do a fantastic job for them.

Exactly :USA_Blue


Hitzfeld is a great manager, and maybe he'll be Klinsis successor?!

[Gerry_BMG]

Hitzfeld as new NT-coach would be a nice change. I cant remember when we had the last "real/good" coach as NT-coach. Can only think of Beckenbauer as a good coach due to his authority. Vogts, Völler/Skibbe, Ribbeck, Klinsmann/Löw :handbags

although most did a decent job, except Ribbeck