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One of Europe's best managers is pulling the strings for Switzerland as the Rossocrociati look set for World Cup qualification.
Hitzfeld's playing days were never all that special. A few years in the Bundesliga with VfB Stuttgart and a lengthy career in Switzerland with Basel, Lugano and Luzern in which he didn't ever reach the lofty heights of European success, but in which he certainly found a love for the country that neighbours Germany.
64-year-old Hitzfeld is most famous for his spells managing Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. With both clubs, he enjoyed Champions League success as manager. Hitzfeld's spell with Borussia Dortmund is remembered fondly by the German club's fans.
When he took charge in 1991, he told club directors that he expected at least three years before he could build a world class team capable of competing for European honours. In 1994-95, he finally won his first Bundesliga title with Dortmund, that was then followed up with success the following season and then following that, the unprecedented success of a Champions League trophy. To many in Europe, Dortmund's success that year was surprising.
Just a short time later, he was then persuaded to join Bayern Munich. He helped the Bavarian side to five league titles, three DFB-Pokal trophies and then he achieved a milestone victory in the Champions League, winning his second title as manager with Bayern. Hitzfeld had cemented his name amongst the heroes of German football with an epic victory for the Bavarian club.
After Hitzfeld stood down in 2004, Bayern struggled again and persuaded the coach to come back for a short period in 2007-2008. But from there on, Hitzfeld would seek something new.
Thus, the lure of international football would prove too great, and Hitzfeld would return to Switzerland to coach the national team.
It hasn't been all peachy from day one for Hitz. The 64-year-old initially struggled back in 2008. But now, his record is starting to look very impressive. In 51 games, he has won almost half of them. He has built a team full of exciting talent that is able to compete with the best in Europe. World Cup qualification is essentially wrapped up and Hitzfeld will look forward to a visit to Brazil to prove his credentials next summer.
So what has made his spell with Switzerland so successful? Well, part of it is down to a very good batch of players, all coming into their prime. Gokhan Inler and Valon Behrami control the midfield at early season Serie A favourites Napoli. At 29 and 28 respectively, they are in the best footballing years of their life. Tranquillo Barnetta is 28 and is impressing for Eintracht Frankfurt. Defensively, Philippe Senderos is wonderful at international level despite his failings on a domestic level. Stephan Lichtsteiner, at 29, was a very important player for Juventus' recent successes in Serie A.
Put all that experience together, and then add the impressive young talent coming through; the likes of Ricardo Rodriguez, Xherdan Shaqiri, Mario Gavranovic and Granit Xhaka to name just a few, and you have a very good little line up.
Hitzfeld has added his brand of football to that. It's organised, it's efficient. Players play for the team as opposed for themselves. Ottmar gets his teams moving the ball around the pitch quickly and making space for their team-mates. Switzerland have been playing very well. A 1-0 win over Brazil in August proved that this team are no pushovers.
So now a World Cup beckons. We're not saying Switzerland are going to be contenders to win this tournament, but be wary of them; they have a great team and one heck of a good manager.
Written by James Turnbull
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