World Cup 2010 Exclusive: Ottmar Hitzfeld believes Switzerland can be giant killers in South Africa

Goal.com's Stefan Bokor seized the opportunity to speak exclusively with Ottmar Hitzfeld about the upcoming World Cup, the Swiss national team, the German Bundesliga and his future.

During the long trip to the FIFA workshop in the Sun City, Hitzfeld took the time to answer some questions from Goal.com.

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Only 120 days left to the start of the World Cup, how does it go with the preparations, can you already feel the euphoria?

I feel there are big expectations in Switzerland. Sometimes I think that for some people to think we can reach the semi-final is quite normal. But one has to keep their feet on the ground. Switzerland will never be a favourite for the title in a big tournament. But we could be a giant killer. We are preparing accordingly to do it. From May 25 until June 6 in Crans-Montana, we have matches in Sion against Costa Rica and in Geneva against Italy.

The 2010 World Cup will be your debut as a national team coach. Is your anticipation all the greater?

This is a premiere for me, the anticipation is very high, but not because of me personally, but because Switzerland is involved. 

You have taken over a relatively small football nation. For many people you are the key player of the team. The expectations and the demands are high. What do you personally expect from the 2010 World Cup?

Like I said, if we use our capabilities to the full potential, we can put a spoke in the Big Boys wheel. There is no lack of opportunities, as I think about our first match against Spain, one the big favourites to win the tournament. Otherwise what applies for many others, will apply also for us; we want to withstand the  matches within the group and reach the quarter-finals. After that, the new goals are defined by themselves. 

Which national team do you see as a clear favourite for the title and which team could pull a surprise in the World Cup? 

The favourites are Spain and Brazil in my opinion. For the surprises there are several candidates, but this not possible to predict so easily, the real surprise teams we will get to know only in South Africa. 

Would you have liked to have Germany in your group? How do you estimate the chances of Germany in the World Cup?

Germany and Switzerland in the same group - that would have certainly been a media sensation! But these are only mind games. World Cup draws are not a musical request programme. You have to take the draw and make the best of it. Germany for me belongs, behind the favourites I mentioned together with England, Italy or Holland. 

Will you return to club football or is this a finished chapter for you?

Today I assume that I will not be coaching at a club level any longer. My contract with the Swiss Football Association lasts until June 30, 2012; at that point I will be 63 years old. I wouldn’t be up for it any more. I would not like to put the stress of 60 matches per year on myself.

Since Bayer Leverkusen duo Tranquillo Barnetta and Erin Derdiyok share the top of the table with Bayern Munich, which club is your favourite?

I am following this top duel with great interest and am glad of course, that two of the Swiss national players play an important role. Today I would dare to say, that at the end Bayern will be tightly on the top position, when they cope well with the double load of the Bundesliga and Champions League.

How do you see your future in the Swiss national team?

Like I already said, the Swiss Football Association and I have prematurely extended my contract for two more years. Now we can all fully concentrate on the World Cup.