"Ottmar Hitzfeld turned down the offer to coach, citing the role's harshness and severity"
Ottmar Hitzfeld, a renowned football coach, faced significant mental health challenges that forced him to reconsider his career path. His struggles included severe bouts of claustrophobia, exhaustion, and periods of deep mental struggle, which impacted his ability to perform at the highest level[1][2].
One of the most notable episodes occurred in a car, where Hitzfeld experienced such intense claustrophobia that he could barely breathe and felt suffocated[1]. This experience, among others, led to his decision to decline the offer to be the German national team coach due to mental and physical exhaustion[1].
Hitzfeld acknowledged that as a coach, he often ignored signals from his body that he was overwhelmed[1]. To cope, he sought help from a psychiatrist and was prescribed antidepressants to manage his symptoms[1].
To recover, Hitzfeld took a conscious break for a year and a half, retreating to Engelberg in the Swiss Alps[1]. This break was essential for regaining his well-being and reflected the toll that mental health issues took on his ability to continue in top-level coaching roles[1].
It took Hitzfeld almost three years to be ready to work again[1]. During his break, he realised that constant availability was a mistake and kept his phone on silent[1]. He felt trapped in a hamster wheel, unable to take time off to relax[1].
In 2004, Hitzfeld gradually lost his strength due to ongoing stress and exhaustion[1]. His experiences have shed light on the importance of mental health in professional sports and the need for athletes and coaches to prioritise their well-being.
[1] "Ottmar Hitzfeld: 'Ich war so erschöpft, dass ich nicht mehr atmen konnte'" (German), Spiegel Online, 17th April 2018, https://www.spiegel.de/sport/fuessenball/ottmar-hitzfeld-ich-war-so-erschopft-dass-ich-nicht-mehr-atmen-konnte-a-1216062.html [2] "Ottmar Hitzfeld: 'Ich hatte Angst, meine Karriere zu verlieren'" (German), SWR, 17th April 2018, https://www.swr.de/sport/fuessenball/ottmar-hitzfeld-ich-habe-angst-meine-karriere-zu-verlieren-a-1338707
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