Ottmar Hitzfeld was born on January 12, 1949, in Lörrach, a town located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He spent much of his childhood in Germany, although specific details about his early life remain limited. Information regarding his parents has not been publicly disclosed, and their names are not known. He is the youngest of five children, but the identities and occupations of his siblings are also not documented.

Little is known about Hitzfeld’s formal education, including the names of his primary or secondary schools. While his early interest in football is apparent through his eventual career path, it remains unclear what initially inspired him to pursue the sport or whether any family members influenced this direction. His later academic pursuits, however, suggest a dual interest in both athletics and education.

Playing Career and Education

Hitzfeld began his professional football career in 1971 with the Swiss club FC Basel. During his time with Basel, he contributed to the team's success in winning the Swiss Championship in consecutive years, 1972 and 1973. Alongside his football career, he pursued studies in sports and mathematics education at a college in his hometown of Lörrach.

In 1972, Hitzfeld represented West Germany in the Summer Olympics, showcasing solid performance throughout the tournament. Following his stint with Basel, he joined VfB Stuttgart in Germany before returning to Switzerland in 1978 to play for FC Lugano, and later, FC Luzern. He retired from professional football in 1983 at the age of 34.