"Hitzfeld's snubbed appointment as the national coach: Examining the reasons"
Former Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles Affecting His Coaching Career
Ottmar Hitzfeld, the esteemed football coach, has revealed that mental health struggles, including episodes of exhaustion and depression, played a significant role in his career, particularly preventing him from accepting the position as the German national football coach.
In his upcoming book "Human Football Star," Swiss journalist Andreas Boni shares excerpts that detail Hitzfeld's experiences. The book is set to be published on August 18, 2023.
Hitzfeld, aged 76, was offered the position of the German national coach in the past. However, he declined the offer due to mental issues and exhaustion. He mentioned that constantly thinking every message is important and being reachable day and night was his biggest mistake. This mentally and physically demanding situation led to back pain and sleep problems.
To combat these issues, Hitzfeld sought help from a psychiatrist and was prescribed antidepressants. He slowly and continuously lost his strength between 2004 and an unspecified time. A turning point came when he experienced a moment of claustrophobia in a car.
During this period, Hitzfeld could no longer turn off or take time off to recover. As a result, he declined numerous opportunities, including the German national coach role. Despite these setbacks, Hitzfeld remains a respected coaching figure who managed top teams like Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and the Swiss national team, achieving significant success.
Hitzfeld spent a year and a half retreating in Engelberg, Swiss Alps, taking a conscious break. His phone has been on silent since his break. He mentioned that he wanted to decline the offer because he needed rest for a new job.
Hitzfeld's candid revelations provide insight into the pressures and psychological toll elite football management can impose. His story serves as a reminder that even the most successful individuals can face mental health challenges and the importance of prioritising self-care.
[1] Boni, Andreas. "Human Football Star." (forthcoming, August 18, 2023) [4] Bild newspaper excerpts. (date unknown)
- Ottmar Hitzfeld, in his forthcoming book "Human Football Star," details his struggles with mental health issues, such as exhaustion and depression, which affected his coaching career, particularly his decision to decline the German national football coach position.
- Alongside his physical health issues like back pain and sleep problems, Hitzfeld's mentally demanding job led him to seek help from a psychiatrist and take antidepressants, but he felt unable to take time off or recover, resulting in him declining numerous opportunities in sports management.
- Hitzfeld's account draws attention to the pressures and psychological impact that elite sports management can have on individuals, emphasizing the importance of mental health and self-care for even the most successful figures in the fields of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and sports, including football.
