Ottmar Hitzfeld was in the news this past week or so, announcing to the world of football that he will be making a much anticipated return to management in the Summer, after a 2 year absence from the game that has a magnetic hold over him.

With a CV as impressive as any, winning 19 major honours in a career spanning over 30 years, and the only man to win the Champions League with two separate clubs, you fancy the tough, yet sophisticated coach will have a whole host of ‘glamour’ club’s after his signature.

Yet for Hitzfeld, the caveat of a challenge is far more of an appeal to his finely tuned senses than a name on a badge. Indeed the German has once again stressed that he is open to offers and that his eventual destination could very well be at a “smaller club” than his previous one, European super-club Bayern Munich.

Speaking to Die Welt, one of Germany’s biggest newspapers, he recently said:

“I am not fixated on top clubs, I can imagine managing a smaller club. It’s also possible that I could go to a country outside of Europe getting to know a new culture. I want to keep all options open.”

Perhaps the Premiership could tempt Hitzfeld then? He’s certainly a fan of our game and has on numerous occasions declared he would one day like to manage in England. He would be a most welcome addition too and would enrich an already minted League that boasts such names as Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, his big pal Sir Alex Ferguson and err, Graeme Souness…

Any ambitious, forward thinking club looking for a new manager would be foolish to ignore his availability and these subliminal messages. For he ticks every box on the managerial credentials list, and then sum.

A born winner as evidenced by that incredible trophy haul, authoritative, fluent in English, impeccable man management techniques, tactically astute and very much an all-rounder, Hitzfeld is without a doubt one of the greatest minds in world football today and his signature would be a coup for any club, especially our very own Newcastle United.

One to ponder Freddy…