NURNBERG: Retired Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has landed one of German football’s most prestigious awards.

Hitzfeld, 65, was presented with the Walther Bensemann prize in memory of one of German football’s pioneers and the founder of Kicker magazine.

Now and then: Hitzfeld (left) and Bensemann

The award acknowledges football personalities who represent the best of football in society and the world at large.

Past winners include Franz Beckenbauer (2006), Alfredo Di Stéfano (2007), Bert Trautmann (2008), César Luis Menotti (2009), Otto Rehhagel (2010), Sir Bobby Charlton (2011), Uwe Seeler (2012) and Günter Netzer (2013).

Ceremony

Hitzfeld received his award at a formal presentation ceremony in Nurnberg from Rainer Holzschuh, Kicker’s editorial director.

Holzschuh said: “Ottmar Hitzfeld is considered the gentleman coach par excellence. Always correct and yet also successful wherever he has worked, whether at Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich or the Swiss national team.”

Asked for the secret of his success, Hitzfeld said: “Working constantly on team spirit and never giving up.”

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