In an interview with The Telegraph, Hitzfeld revealed he was part of an elite shortlist of managers the Old Trafford club drew up to replace Ferguson at the end of the 2001/02 season.
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“I don’t want to go into too many details because it was between myself and Manchester United, but I decided to stay in Germany because, when I am coaching I prefer to express myself in German because this is my mother tongue.
“I didn’t think I would be able to do myself justice if I had to speak to the players in English. I would not be able to get my emotions and feelings across.
“The players in the Swiss dressing room speak a variety of languages, including Italian, French and English, but when they come to work I coach them in German.
“All the players understand it. If there are some special expressions required then one of my coaches might use a bit of Italian or French, but I coach them only in German and it is better that way.”
