Thomas Hitzlsperger Biography: Early Life, Career, And Legacy

Thomas Hitzlsperger is a former German footballer and current football director who played as a midfielder. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented footballers of his generation, having played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe and amassed 52 caps for the German national team. However, he is perhaps best known for his decision to come out as gay in 2014, becoming one of the few high-profile footballers to do so.

Hitzlsperger was born on April 5, 1982, in Munich, Germany. He began playing football at a young age and joined the youth academy at Bayern Munich as a teenager. Hitzlsperger quickly rose through the ranks and made his professional debut for Bayern in 2000. He went on to play for a number of other clubs, including Aston Villa, West Ham United, Lazio, and VfB Stuttgart, where he won the Bundesliga title in 2007.

Despite his success on the pitch, Hitzlsperger’s decision to come out as gay was a groundbreaking moment in the world of football. He has since become an advocate for LGBT+ rights in sports and has worked to promote greater inclusivity and diversity in the sport. In this article, we will take a closer look at Hitzlsperger’s life and career, including his early years, his club and international career, and his post-football career.

Key Takeaways

Thomas Hitzlsperger is a former German footballer and current football director who played as a midfielder.
Hitzlsperger is best known for his decision to come out as gay in 2014, becoming one of the few high-profile footballers to do so.
He has since become an advocate for LGBT+ rights in sports and has worked to promote greater inclusivity and diversity in the sport.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Hitzlsperger was born on April 5, 1982, in Munich, Germany. He grew up in Forstinning, along with his five brothers and one sister. His father, Ludwig Hitzlsperger, was a football coach, and his mother, Anneliese Hitzlsperger, was a teacher.

Hitzlsperger showed an early interest in football and began playing at a young age. He joined the youth academy at Bayern Munich as a teenager and quickly rose through the ranks. In 2000, he made his professional debut for Bayern Munich.

Aside from football, Hitzlsperger also had a keen interest in economics. He studied economics at the University of Hagen while playing for Aston Villa in the English Premier League. He later completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Berlin School of Economics and Law.

Despite his academic pursuits, Hitzlsperger remained focused on his football career and went on to play for several top-tier teams, including Aston Villa, VfB Stuttgart, and West Ham United.

Club Career

Aston Villa

Thomas Hitzlsperger began his professional football career with Aston Villa in 2000, where he played for four seasons. During his time at Villa Park, he made 116 appearances and scored 13 goals in all competitions.

VfB Stuttgart

In 2005, Hitzlsperger returned to his homeland to play for VfB Stuttgart. He quickly became a key player for the club, making 126 appearances and scoring 20 goals in all competitions. He also won the Bundesliga title with Stuttgart in the 2006/07 season.

Lazio

After spending three seasons with Stuttgart, Hitzlsperger moved to Serie A side Lazio in 2010. However, he struggled to make an impact in Italy, making just 13 appearances in all competitions for the club.

West Ham United

In January 2011, Hitzlsperger returned to England to join West Ham United. He played a crucial role in helping the Hammers avoid relegation from the Premier League that season, scoring a memorable long-range goal in a 3-0 win over Liverpool. He made a total of 16 appearances for the club before leaving at the end of the season.

Everton

Hitzlsperger joined Everton on a free transfer in October 2012. He made just four appearances for the Toffees before leaving the club at the end of the season.

VfL Wolfsburg

Hitzlsperger returned to Germany to play for VfL Wolfsburg in 2013. However, he announced his retirement from professional football just a few months later, citing a desire to focus on his post-playing career.

Overall, Hitzlsperger had a successful club career, playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe and winning a Bundesliga title with VfB Stuttgart.

International Career

Youth Level

Thomas Hitzlsperger began his international career at the youth level, representing Germany in the U-16, U-18, and U-21 teams. He was part of the U-21 squad that won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2009, where he played a vital role in the midfield.

Senior Level

Hitzlsperger made his senior international debut for Germany in 2004 against Iran. He went on to make a total of 52 appearances for his country, scoring 6 goals. He was part of the German squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he featured in five of their seven games.

Hitzlsperger’s last international appearance for Germany was in 2010. He retired from international football in the same year, citing the need to focus on his club career.

During his international career, Hitzlsperger was known for his versatility and ability to play in multiple positions. He was primarily used as a central midfielder but was also deployed as a left-back and left-winger on occasion.

Overall, Hitzlsperger had a successful international career, representing Germany in major tournaments and helping them achieve success at the youth level.

Retirement and Post-Football Career

Coming Out

After retiring from professional football at the age of 31, Thomas Hitzlsperger made headlines by publicly coming out as gay in January 2014. He became the first German professional footballer to do so, and one of only a few high-profile footballers worldwide to come out while still playing or shortly after retiring.

Hitzlsperger explained that he had kept his sexuality private during his playing career due to fears of being stigmatized and discriminated against, but he felt that it was important to be open and honest about his identity now that he had retired. He also expressed hope that his decision to come out would help to break down barriers for other LGBT athletes and encourage greater acceptance and inclusion in the sport.

Role in Football Administration

Since retiring, Hitzlsperger has remained involved in football in various administrative and leadership roles. In February 2019, he was appointed Head of Sport of VfB Stuttgart, the club where he began his professional career and won the Bundesliga title in 2007. He was subsequently promoted to CEO, making him one of the few openly gay executives in professional football.

During his tenure as CEO, Hitzlsperger oversaw a period of significant change and restructuring at VfB Stuttgart, including the appointment of a new head coach and the implementation of a new sporting strategy. In March 2022, he announced that he would be stepping down from his role as CEO, citing personal reasons and a desire to take a break from the demands of professional football administration.

Despite his departure from VfB Stuttgart, Hitzlsperger remains a respected figure in German football and an advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in the sport. He has spoken out against discrimination and homophobia in football, and has called for greater support and resources to be provided to LGBT athletes and coaches.

Legacy and Impact

Influence in Football

Thomas Hitzlsperger’s impact on football extends beyond his playing career. He was appointed Head of Sport at VfB Stuttgart in February 2019 and later promoted to CEO. He stepped down from this position in March 2022 [1]. Hitzlsperger has also been involved in the ownership of Aalborg BK, where he has emphasized player development and values [2].

LGBTQ+ Advocacy

Thomas Hitzlsperger made international headlines in January 2014 when he became the highest-profile male footballer to come out as gay [4]. His bravery in doing so has had a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in football. Hitzlsperger has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has spoken out about the need for greater acceptance and inclusion within the sport [3].

Hitzlsperger’s coming out has also had a positive impact on the wider world of sport. His bravery has encouraged other athletes to come out and has helped to break down barriers and stigmas surrounding LGBTQ+ issues in sport. Hitzlsperger has been a role model for many young people and has shown that it is possible to be successful in sport while also being true to oneself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What teams did Thomas Hitzlsperger play for in his career?

Thomas Hitzlsperger played for several teams during his football career. He began his career playing for Aston Villa in England, where he spent the early part of his career. He also played for teams such as Stuttgart, West Ham United, and Everton.

Did Thomas Hitzlsperger ever win any major trophies?

During his career, Thomas Hitzlsperger did not win any major trophies. However, he did help his teams achieve some notable accomplishments. For example, he helped Stuttgart win the Bundesliga title in the 2006-2007 season.

What is Thomas Hitzlsperger’s current occupation?

Thomas Hitzlsperger is currently the director of football for VfB Stuttgart. He was appointed Head of Sport of VfB Stuttgart in February 2019 and was subsequently promoted to CEO. However, he stepped down from this position in March 2022.

What was Thomas Hitzlsperger’s experience like as a gay footballer?

Thomas Hitzlsperger came out as gay in 2014, becoming one of the few openly gay football players at the time. He has spoken about the challenges he faced as a gay footballer, including the fear of being rejected by teammates and fans. However, he has also spoken about the support he received from many people in the football community.

Who are some notable German footballers who have played in the Premier League?

There have been several notable German footballers who have played in the Premier League. Some examples include Michael Ballack, Jurgen Klinsmann, and Mesut Ozil.