Ottmar Hitzfeld - Former legendary Bayern coach

[Tom Andre]

With a coach like him you have to win something.

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Ottmar Hitzfeld is "optimistic" his Bayern Munich side can overturn their disappointing form this season and still win the Bundesliga title.

Bayern are currently in fourth position - six points behind leaders Schalke - after their 1-1 draw with fellow high-flyers Werder Bremen last weekend.

But Hitzfeld told Vanity Fair: "Even if we have just thrown away two points against Bremen, we are still fighting to reach the very top of the table.

"In 2001, we were still champions despite losing seven games."

Bayern, who also won the Champions League in 2001, actually clinched the title that season having lost nine games.

And he said: "That makes me even more optimistic. We still have a bit of room for manoeuvre this season then."

Hitzfeld admits he enjoys his job more after a two-and-a-half year break from management.

The 58-year-old worked as a television pundit after having his contract with Bayern terminated in 2004.

He said: "I have so much fun with my job now that I never thought possible."

And he also hinted that he may be prepared to extend his current stay with the club beyond the end of the season.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach has previously insisted he did not want to sign a new deal with the club.

But he added: "Being a football manager is an unhealthy job, but that is what I am doing again and I still have a few years before I reach retirement age."

Bayern can win the title - Hitzfeld - World Football - TEAMtalk Football News

[Tom Andre]

It will be exciting to follow Bayern Munich rest of the season.They just have to continue winning.Think about if they win the league or champions league or maybe both...Who had expected that?They got what it takes to win it all.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Bayern have no room for mistakes, it's do or die.

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Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has put pen to paper on a new deal that will see him remain with the German champions until the end of next season.

The 58-year-old, was originally installed as caretaker manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Felix Magath, but a recent upturn in results, including qualification for the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Real Madrid, has convinced club bosses to keep him on for a further season.

"Ottmar Hitzfeld has totally won us over in the last few weeks with his excellent work and the way he leads the team," general manager Uli Hoeness told the club's official website.

"His decision to continue his career has given us all the possibility to plan for next season with the coach who will be in charge," Hoeness added.

"We took the decision 'only' to extend toe contract for one year mutually. After a certain amount of time we will talk about the situation again and decide whether we'll then continue in the mid- or long-term future."

Hitzfeld signs on with Bayern - Football - Eurosport

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Delighted!

[Oliver_Kahn]

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Following a period of intense speculation, the question of who will take charge of the Bayern first team from this summer onwards has been settled: Ottmar Hitzfeld will remain Bayern Munich head coach for one further season after the end of the 2006-7 campaign, the club officially announced on Thursday. The 58-year-old coach agreed to extend his current contract by a year until 30 June 2008 in a meeting with the FC Bayern Munich AG board of directors on Wednesday.

"We're delighted we've been able to take this decision with Ottmar Hitzfeld so quickly and easily," board director Uli Hoeneß commented at a news conference in Munich. The matter had been settled "between the starter and the main course" at a meeting over dinner on Wednesday, Hoeneß revealed: "It was done and dusted in ten minutes."

Enjoying the work

"I'm delighted at the opportunity to continue my work here," an equally delighted Hitzfeld commented. "Over the last few weeks, I've recognised how much enjoyment I derive from coaching, and I believe the team and I can still achieve a few things. This was an important reason for me to remain as FC Bayern Munich head coach."

Hitzfeld and his assistant Michael Henke, whose contract has also been extended for a further year, had "utterly convinced" the board with their "outstanding work over recent weeks, and the manner in which the team is being led," Hoeneß continued. "I'm extremely pleased we're going to continue a partnership which has begun so well."

Start of something big

"It was a mutual decision to extend the contract for a period of 'only' a year," Hoeneß continued. "A single year doesn't mean we won't see a longer relationship emerge. We'll jointly review the situation at the appropriate time and then agree whether to continue the arrangement over the mid- to long-term." Hitzfeld's decision to prolong his latest spell as head coach "offers us the opportunity to co-ordinate our planning for next season directly with the coach concerned," the general manager summarised.

Hitzfeld described himself as "surprised that I've decided to carry on." Had he been obliged to make the same call on his arrival at the club six weeks ago "I definitely wouldn't have done so, but in fact, things have been coming together between myself and the team. I never thought I'd feel so much at home, but working with the team is proving tremendously enjoyable."

Players express approval

Key members of the playing staff were quick to return the compliment. "We're enjoying ourselves on the training ground. We know exactly when we can have fun, and when we need to take it seriously," Bastian Schweinsteiger commented. "I think it's good he's agreed to stay, and I'm looking forward to working with him."

In Hitzfeld's first spell as head coach from 1998 to 2004, Bayern won the World Club Cup (2001), the UEFA Champions League (2001), the German championship four times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003) and the DFB German Cup twice (2000, 2003).

[Oliver_Kahn]

Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is taking precautions to protect his long term health from the stresses and strains of management.

The 58-year-old's health has long been an area of concern. While coach of Borussia Dortmund, he suffered from stomach problems, and has now admitted losing two kilograms in weight since taking the reins at Bayern again.

“I have to make sure that I don't lose too much weight,” he told Sport Bild.

“I also have to make sure that I find enough time to switch off, and to relax. I have to be able to detach, so that I don't end up getting dragged through the mill and end up not being able to see the wood for the trees.”

Hitzfeld has altered his daily routine in order to combat stress, curtailing his hefty workload towards the end of the day.

“[While at Dortmund] I was involved with football the whole day long,” he continued. “Now at 8 o'clock in the evening I do other things. I read, or take part in good discussions.”

Hitzfeld took over for his second spell in charge of the Bavarian giants following the sacking of Felix Magath in February, though has so far failed to turn Bayern's disappointing season around, and the 2-0 defeat at Stuttgart last week has left them facing a season without Champions League football for the first time in ten years.

Nevertheless, the veteran coach insists he “doesn't regret a single hour.”

“I am proud to be Bayern coach. It's a lot of fun, even if things aren't going to well at this moment in time,” he concluded.

Hitzfeld concern over health - Football - Eurosport

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Those motherfuckers are stressing you Ottmar, I know.
It ain't gon' happen next season, certainly not.

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Großer Festtag für Michael Henke! Der Assistenztrainer von Ottmar Hitzfeld feierte am Freitag seinen 50. Geburtstag. Zahlreiche Geschenke schmückten daher seinen Schreibtisch in der Trainer-Kabine - nur auf eine große Party musste der frisch gebackene „Fünfziger“ angesichts des bevorstehenden Bundesligaspiels gegen den Hamburger SV verzichten. Die wird dann hoffentlich nach einem Sieg gegen den HSV nachgeholt.

Henke celebrated his 50th birthday yesterday.
Happy birthday, Mr. Assistant.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by Trim17

Henke celebrated his 50th birthday yesterday.
Happy birthday, Mr. Assistant.

Happy Birthday Henke.

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A win today would be the best birthday present for him.

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After two-and-a-half years away from the job, Ottmar Hitzfeld returned to the Bayern helm some 90 days ago, although the General will undoubtedly have expected a more fruitful yield from the early months of his second spell in charge. The Bavarians have registered six wins, a draw and five defeats in their last 12 Bundesliga fixtures, and appear certain to miss their officially declared target of a place in next season’s Champions League, the 2001 winners’ first absence in 12 years.

Despite the unsatisfactory results, the 58-year-old insists he has not regretted for one moment the decision to swap the colour commentator’s microphone at Pay TV channel Premiere for a tracksuit and football boots. “When you accept a challenge, you do so with a variety of perspectives,” he commented. “I’ve been trying to help, and it remains an extremely interesting task.”

Delighted to accept the job

When Bayern officials made contact back in January, he had been “delighted to accept the job,” Hitzfeld remarked, flatly rejecting reporters’ suggestions he might opt to throw in the towel this summer despite a contract binding him to the club until June 2008. “You have to fulfil your commitments. I totally identify with Bayern Munich football club and with my team.”

The General admitted he had “never experienced a situation like this” in 23 years as a coach, but Hitzfeld is nothing if not resilient. With three games still to play this season, the experienced boss has already turned his attention to the new campaign, where he will supervise a process of renewal in the dressing room and seek to guide the club back to trophy glory.

Deep reserves

“I’m blessed with a broad pair of shoulders, and I’m also a fighter. I’m not a cherry-picker,” he declared, pointing out that his break from active participation in the game had allowed him to build up sufficient reserves of energy for the demanding full-time role at the club. “I’m refreshed and relaxed. I have a store of unused energy,” he reported.

Returning to the training ground had also brought an unexpected but welcome side-effect, the coach revealed. “I’ve lost two kilograms since coming back, and that hasn’t hurt me one bit,” he reported with a grin.