04/01/2002
Bayern's Hitzfeld wins club coach of year award
(Reuters) - Bayern Munich's Ottmar Hitzfeld has been voted the
world's best club coach for 2001 after his side's achievements in winning
the Champions League and the Bundesliga title.
Voters from media in 87 countries overwhelmingly elected Hitzfeld, the
International Federation of Football History and Statistics said on
Thursday.
"His enormous lead of 103 points is the consequence of his achievements with
Bayern, a team who with the exception of the goalkeeper, do not have big
names of world football as is the case with other great clubs of the world,"
said the IFFHS.
It is the second time the 53-year-old has won the award since voting began
in 1996.
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, whose side won the UEFA Cup, the FA and
League Cups, the Super Cup -- when they beat Bayern -- as well as the
domestic Charity Shield last year, came second in the poll.
Houllier is currently resting after a heart operation in October last year.
Last year's winner Carlos Bianchi of Argentina's Boca Juniors was third in
the poll.
There were four managers from English clubs -- Houllier, Leeds United's
David O'Leary, Manchester United's Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger of
Arsenal -- in the top 10.
List of world's top coaches:
1. Ottmar Hitzfeld......Bayern Munich.......228 points
2. Gerard Houllier......Liverpool...........125
3. Carlos Bianchi.......Boca Juniors........120
4. Hector Cuper.........Inter Milan.........80
5. David O'Leary........Leeds United........43
6. Fabio Capello........AS Roma.............42
7. Alex Ferguson........Manchester United...35
8. Vicente del Bosque...Real Madrid.........25
9. Arsene Wenger........Arsenal.............23
10. Javier Irueta........Deportivo Coruna....21
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