Trainer openly discusses exhaustion, a well-known figure's revelation - Renowned Coach Discusses Extensively About Coach Burnout
Ottmar Hitzfeld Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles in New Book
In his upcoming book, "Human Football Star," due for release on August 18, Ottmar Hitzfeld, the renowned German football manager, discusses the mental health struggles he faced during his illustrious coaching career.
Throughout his career, Hitzfeld coached Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich, leading both teams to numerous victories. However, the pressure of elite football management took its toll on him, as he experienced exhaustion, panic attacks, and even came close to collapse on multiple occasions.
Hitzfeld's troubles began in 1994 when he suffered a back injury and was prescribed cortisone. This medication, it seems, had unintended consequences, as it caused his intestines to inflame, leading to a rupture and a life-threatening situation that required emergency surgery. Hitzfeld spent a significant amount of time in critical condition on the intensive care unit and almost died.
The incident marked a turning point in Hitzfeld's life, and he began to experience mental health struggles. He suffered from burnout, depression, panic, and exhaustion, which notably influenced his decision to decline the prestigious role of German national team manager. Hitzfeld describes this period as one of mental and physical depletion, during which he felt utterly powerless and had no motivation to continue coaching.
At the time, Hitzfeld's state was characterized by crippling back pain, severe insomnia, and a three-day spell confined to bed. The pressure of constant availability before had been a mistake, he believes, and after the incident, he chose to set boundaries, such as silencing his phone to preserve his well-being.
Hitzfeld took a one-and-a-half-year break in the Swiss Alps to recover, and only nearly three years later did he feel ready to return to high-level coaching responsibilities. Since his break, he has been keeping his phone on silent.
In the book, Hitzfeld reveals that these struggles prevented him from taking the role of national team coach due to a lack of strength. He mentions that as a coach of Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, he was on the brink of collapse multiple times. Earlier, Hitzfeld's struggles were previously published by Bild.
The book, "Human Football Star," features various voices from the industry and provides an insightful look into the intense pressure and psychological toll associated with elite football management. Hitzfeld's story serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health openly, particularly in high-pressure environments like professional sports.
In his new book, "Human Football Star", Ottmar Hitzfeld discusses how his mental health struggles were exacerbated during his coaching career, despite leading both Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich to numerous victories. Amidst these tribulations, he advocates for the importance of mental health awareness, particularly in professional sports, and emphasizes the need for vocational training programs to address mental health issues in the science and health-and-wellness sectors, including fitness-and-exercise programs and policies to promote well-being.
