Hitzfeld has won everything else, will he win the World Cup?

Ottmar Hitzfeld is one of the most successful managers of modern day football. The former striker built a dynasty at Bayern Munich, delivering 5 league titles, 3 cups and also once repeating his success of a Champions League, which he also won with Dortmund Borussia. He's rated as the Bundesliga's best ever manager. Will he now bring success to Switzerland?

Hitzfeld appointment as a manager of Switzerland was a bit of a surprise, as the man hasn't previously been in charge of a international team and nearing 60, with already having achieved everything a top manager can't, contemplating retirement.

The Swizz have been a side of potential recently though, and that's probably why Hitzfeld saw enough motivation to give a go.

After co-hosting EURO 2008 with Austria, the game has really grown in the nation. Players are getting noticed by Europe's bigger clubs and young talent has emerged.

As a result of this, a impressive qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010 is behind their backs.

Switzerland only lost 1 match during the whole process, a surprise defeat at home to minnows Luxembourg, conceding on of the fewest amount of goals with only 8.

The previous results at the World Cup are pretty good for a nation not mainly known of football. 8 finals places in total, with three quarter-final places.

Germany 2006 was a big success. The team went down as the only one, who didn't concede any goals during regular play, only losing in the second round of the tournament to Ukraine on penalties.

While the team has changed since then, some of the key players still remain. Hakan Yakin, Tranquillo Barnetta and top scorer Alexander Frei, who this summer returned to home, to Basel, where he is one of the top scorer of the Europa League.

There's also an emergence of young talent. Gelson Fernandes got his big move to Manchester City and while he's now at Saint-Etienne in France, his talent is remarkable. Arsenal's Phillippe Senderos is a rock in the defence, alongside fellow-Gunner, Johan Djourou. Valon Behrami, the local David Beckham, and Johan Vonlanthen, who's the younest ever scorer at European Championships, offer attacking flair from midfield.

While the team won't be amongst the favorites, Hitzfeld does have a winning experience and that might turn out the be the key for this Swizz side.