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Swiss boss Hitzfeld to retire after World Cup

Hitzfeld, 64, took over from Kobi Kuhn in July 2008 following Switzerland's failure to go beyond the group stage at the UEFA European Championships that same year.

The German led the side to the 2010 World Cup, but was unable to steer them to the finals of Euro 2012.

However, qualification for next year's World Cup was secured as Switzerland topped their qualification group without losing a single game.

Switzerland will go into the World Cup as seeds after they moved into the top 10 of the most recent FIFA rankings, but the tournament will be Hitzfeld's last in management.

"After the World Cup in Brazil, I will be 65," Hitzfeld said.

"After 30 years in the strength-sapping world of football, my time has come to stop.

"I can live without football, there are more important things in life."

Hitzfeld's three-decade spell in management has seen him coach in both Switzerland and Germany.