Hitzfeld to coach Switzerland after Euro 2008

BERLIN (Reuters) - Ottmar Hitzfeld will take over as Switzerland coach after Euro 2008, the Swiss FA said in a statement on its Web site on Tuesday (www.football.ch).

Hitzfeld, who had already announced his decision to step down as Bayern Munich coach at the end of the season, will begin work on July 1 on a two-year contract, the statement said.

Switzerland are co-hosts of Euro 2008 with Austria. Jakob Kuhn had already stated his intention to step down after the June 7-29 tournament.

Hitzfeld, who returned for a second spell at Bayern early last year, will be replaced by Juergen Klinsmann as coach at the Bundesliga club once the season is over.

Hitzfeld, 59, enjoyed success as a player and coach in Switzerland and was frequently mentioned in the media as a possible future coach of the country's national team.

His greatest achievements in Germany came in leading both Borussia Dortmund (1997) and Bayern Munich (2001) to Champions League glory.

(Writing by Kevin Fylan; Editing by Alison Wildey)