Ottmar Hitzfeld Quotes

Powerful Ottmar Hitzfeld for Daily Growth

About Ottmar Hitzfeld

Ottmar Hitzfeld, born on February 8, 1949, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, is renowned not just as a successful football manager but also as an astute tactician and inspiring leader, both on and off the pitch. His professional journey began as a player with FC Zürich, where he won two Swiss League titles. However, it was his transition to coaching that truly catapulted him into the realm of greatness. His coaching career started in 1980 at FC Zürich's youth academy. He later managed teams like Grasshopper Club Zurich, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich in Germany, before returning to Switzerland to coach the national team. His tenure with these clubs was marked by numerous championship wins and memorable performances. Hitzfeld is particularly remembered for his time at Borussia Dortmund (1993-2000) and Bayern Munich (2004-2007). With Dortmund, he led the team to two UEFA Champions League titles in 1996 and 1997, showcasing a unique ability to meld youthful exuberance with tactical brilliance. At Bayern, he further cemented his legacy by guiding the club to three consecutive Bundesliga titles from 2005-2008. Notably, Hitzfeld is one of only three managers (alongside Marcello Lippi and Carlo Ancelotti) to have won the UEFA Champions League with two different clubs. His quotes often reflect his strategic approach to the game: "The ball is round; it doesn't matter who you are playing against, if you play good football you can win." After retiring from management in 2014, Hitzfeld continues to be a revered figure in European football, admired for his discipline, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is not always about greatness, it's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come."

This quote by Ottmar Hitzfeld suggests that achieving success doesn't necessarily require exceptional abilities or talents; instead, it emphasizes the importance of consistent effort. The key message is that through persistent and diligent work over time, one can attain success. The concept of greatness in this context implies reaching a higher level as a result of such consistent hard work. In essence, Hitzfeld highlights that small, consistent actions lead to meaningful results and eventual greatness.


"Football is a team game, but sometimes you need individuals who can make the difference."

This quote by Ottmar Hitzfeld highlights the dual nature of football (soccer). While it's primarily a collaborative sport requiring teamwork and coordination, it also depends on exceptional individuals who possess unique skills to stand out from the crowd and make decisive impacts when needed. In essence, he emphasizes the importance of both collective effort and individual brilliance in achieving success in football.


"The most important thing in life is not where you are born or what you have, but what you become."

Ottmar Hitzfeld's quote emphasizes that personal growth, development, and character are more significant than one's initial circumstances or possessions. It highlights the idea that every individual has the potential to transform themselves into something great regardless of their background or starting point in life. Essentially, it underlines the power of self-improvement and personal achievement over external factors.


"You learn by losing and winning. In defeat, you realize that your dreams were too small; in victory, that they were just beginning."

This quote by Ottmar Hitzfeld suggests that both failure (defeat) and success (victory) are valuable learning experiences that help one to grow and expand their aspirations. Defeat, or the realization that one's initial goals were too limited, encourages individuals to reach higher and strive for greater achievements. Conversely, victory teaches us that our dreams have only just begun as it inspires us to continue pushing our boundaries and setting new, more ambitious objectives. Essentially, Hitzfeld is emphasizing the importance of learning from all experiences and using them as stepping stones towards personal growth and the pursuit of larger aspirations.


"To be a good leader, you must first be a good human being: honest, open-minded, respectful of other people's opinions, and never think you are perfect."

This quote emphasizes that effective leadership is rooted in personal character rather than just technical skills. To lead well, one should possess qualities such as honesty, open-mindedness, and respect for others. Recognizing the imperfection of oneself fosters humility, an essential trait for leaders who value collaboration, understanding, and growth among their team members. Essentially, being a good human being underpins the ability to inspire, guide, and bring out the best in those one leads.


It's always important for a coach to decide on the short term and long term - one factor doesn't block out the other.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Always, Other, Decide, Factor

It cannot be a coincidence that a European team couldn't win a World Cup held in South America.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

World Cup, Held, South, Coincidence

I have been very fortunate to coach marvellous teams, and it has been a great honour to work for Switzerland.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Been, Very, Honour, Marvellous

To represent a country, qualify for the World Cup, and get a team to perform at the right moment in time would be great honour for me.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

World Cup, Country, Honour, Represent

I gain strength from postive thought and from the daily conversation with God.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Strength, Daily, Thought, Conversation

I am still hungry; I still hate defeats. There is no substitute for victories.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Hungry, Victories, Still, Defeats

My coaching days are now over, and I'm proud of what I've achieved.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Proud, Now, Over, Coaching

Thomas Tuchel is a coach who can work in the long-term.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Work, Coach, Who, Thomas

Guardiola focuses only on the tactics.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Only, Tactics

As long as you are successful and winning matches, the language is no problem at all. But when the results are insufficient, the difficulties begin. At this time, a coach needs to go into more detail with his instructions, and that's where the problems can lie.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Lie, Language, Instructions, Detail

My philosophy is always to fulfill contracts.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Always, Contracts, Fulfill, Philosophy

When you get older, 10 matches a year are enough.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Year, Older, Get, Matches

There is always the fear of failure, and if you struggle, you become nervous, and that's when the underdogs have an opportunity to create a surprise.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Surprise, Always, Underdogs

It's very likely that I will finish my career as Swiss national coach.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Career, Very, Likely, Finish

The job as a coach is difficult.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Job, Difficult, Coach

The favourites and the stronger teams have a lot of pressure during the group phase because everybody just takes it for granted that they will reach the round of 16.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Phase, Everybody, Favourites, Granted

I have never broken a contract in my career.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Broken, Career, Never, Contract

Sometimes, the supposedly weak groups turn out to be very difficult, and the supposedly strong ones are easier to take control of.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Strong, Very, Supposedly, Groups

I can live without football. There are more important things in life.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Important, More, Things, Important Things

We always go into a game to win.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Game, Go, Always, Win

I did not think I would be able to do myself justice if I had to speak to the players in English. I would not be able to get my emotions and feelings across.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Myself, Think, Players, Emotions

We have to look after the health of the players. Quality suffers with too many games.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Games, Players, Too, Suffers

That you get booed belongs to professional sports.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Sports, Get, Belongs

As long as there is a mathematical chance, we have to keep on going.

- Ottmar Hitzfeld

Chance, Going, Keep, Mathematical

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