Ottmar Hitzfeld turned down an offer from China to retire: 'It was the best decision for me'
Ottmar Hitzfeld turns 70 today! In a recent interview with Sport Bild, the former Bayern München talked about his decision to retire, turning down a lucrative offer from China and the stress that comes with being a Bundesliga coach.
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After the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, Ottmar Hitzfeld left his job as the coach of the Swiss national and announced his retirement.
And the former coach of Borussia Dortmund and Bayern München, who turns 70 years old today, doesn't regret his decision or the fact that he turned down an offer of €25 million to sign a one and a half-year contract with a Chinese club.
"It was the best decision for me to retire in 2014. I never wanted to grow old as coach. I never let myself persuade and didn't give in to the temptations although I had sensational offers - especially from China," Hitzfeld told Sport Bild about the offer that reportedly came from Guangzhou Evergrande.
Today, Hitzfeld enjoys a quiet life without the stress that comes with being a coach at the highest level.
"I don't have to prove myself anymore. As a coach, you have to do that in every game. Again and again. Win and keep winning. Being a coach is an existential struggle," the 70-year-old explained and added:
"It's a high-risk job. The average working time of a Bundesliga coach is 1,2 years. One point two! That's madness. You always have fear in the back of your head."
During his career as coach, Hitzfeld managed to win the Bundesliga and the Champions League at both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern München.
