Hitzfeld makes Switzerland commitment
Friday, March 4, 2011
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Ottmar Hitzfeld has agreed to stay on as Switzerland coach until the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, ending speculation about the former FC Bayern München boss's future.
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Ottmar Hitzfeld has agreed to carry on as Switzerland coach until the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.
In a statement given via the Swiss Football Association (SFV-ASF), the German coach spoke of his desire "that football and the Swiss national team become the focus of people's interest again", rather than speculation about his future. Hitzfeld's team collected three points from their first three UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group G matches, losing to England (3-1) and Montenegro (1-0) before winning 4-1 against Wales.
The 62-year-old former FC Bayern München coach took charge of the Nati after UEFA EURO 2008, and following a shaky start led them to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. His squad did not progress beyond the group stage, yet they were the only side to beat eventual winners Spain (1-0) in South Africa. Hitzfeld also won the UEFA Champions League as coach of Borussia Dortmund (1997) and Bayern (2001).
Switzerland visit Bulgaria in their next Group G qualifier on 26 March.