Hitzfeld confirms Bayern exit in 2005

Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has confirmed he will leave the German champions at the end of the 2004/2005 season.

Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has confirmed he will leave the German champions at the end of the 2004/2005 season.

Hitzfeld, 55, believes he has taken the club as far as he can and will look for a new challenge at the end of next season.

"It is true that my work at Bayern will come to an end in 2005," he said Friday. "It has been a fantastic time for me."

The former maths teacher joined the Bavarian giants from Borussia Dortmund in 1998 and has won four domestic titles, two German Cups, a European Champions League crown and the Intercontinental Cup in 2001.

However, the coach has come under fire over the past two seasons after failing to reach the latter stages of the Champions League and looks like ending this season without a trophy unless Werder Bremen collapse in the Bundesliga.

Hitzfeld recently revealed Champions League semi-finalists Chelsea had approached him and has long been touted for the role of German national coach.

However, the man who guided Borussia Dortmund to the 1997 Champions League has indicated he wants a more relaxing job.

"Health is the most important thing and I want to work somewhere where there is less stress," he added.

VfB Stuttgart manager Felix Magath, who is also out of contract in 2005, has been linked as Hitzfeld's successor in the Munich hot-seat.