# Thomas Hitzlsperger

> German footballer (born 1982)

**Wikidata**: [Q57152](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57152)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hitzlsperger)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thomas-hitzlsperger

## Summary

Thomas Hitzlsperger is a German former professional footballer who has also worked as an association football coach. He is recognized as one of Germany's notable football figures, having received the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, the country's highest sports award. His career in professional football began in 2002, and he has represented the German national team at the highest level of the sport.

## Biography

- **Born:** Date and place not specified in source material
- **Nationality:** German
- **Education:** Not specified in source material
- **Known for:** Professional career as an association football player and subsequent work as an association football coach
- **Employer(s):** Not specified in source material
- **Field(s):** Association football (soccer)

## Contributions

Based on the available source material, specific contributions include:

- **Professional Football Career:** Played as an association football player beginning in 2002, representing German football at the professional level
- **Coaching Career:** Transitioned to association football coaching, serving as a professional trainer of footballers
- **National Recognition:** Awarded the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf), Germany's highest sports award, recognizing outstanding athletic achievements

## FAQs

**What is Thomas Hitzlsperger known for?**
Thomas Hitzlsperger is known for his career as a German professional footballer and his subsequent work as a football coach. He is recognized within German football for his contributions to the sport.

**What awards has Thomas Hitzlsperger received?**
Thomas Hitzlsperger has received the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf), which is Germany's highest sports award, established on June 23, 1950.

**When did Thomas Hitzlsperger start his professional football career?**
According to the source material, Thomas Hitzlsperger's work period in professional football began in 2002.

**What is Thomas Hitzlsperger's current profession?**
Beyond his playing career, Thomas Hitzlsperger has worked as an association football coach, training and developing footballers at the professional level.

**What is Thomas Hitzlsperger's nationality?**
Thomas Hitzlsperger is German, representing the country in Central Europe.

## Why They Matter

Thomas Hitzlsperger matters as a representative of German football excellence, having achieved the highest national recognition in sports through the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt. His dual career as both a player and coach demonstrates his continued commitment to the sport of association football in Germany. The Silbernes Lorbeerblatt award, which he received, places him among the most distinguished German athletes since its inception in 1950, recognizing his contributions to German sports culture. His work as both a player (sitelink count: 65) and coach (sitelink count: 35) reflects his multifaceted impact on the sport, contributing to both on-field performance and off-field development of future footballers.

## Notable For

- Received the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf), Germany's highest sports award
- Professional association football player career beginning in 2002
- Transitioned to association football coaching profession
- German national team representation
- Active involvement in German football spanning playing and training roles

## Body

### Early Career and Professional Debut

Thomas Hitzlsperger began his professional football career in 2002, entering the professional ranks of German association football. The specific clubs, teams, and detailed career timeline are not specified in the provided source material, though his career as a professional player is documented.

### Playing Career

As an association football player, Hitzlsperger represented German football at the professional level. His career as a player earned him recognition within the German football community, culminating in his receipt of the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt. The sitelink count of 65 for "association football player" indicates his established presence in this professional category.

### Coaching Career

Following his playing career, Thomas Hitzlsperger transitioned to association football coaching, taking on the profession of training and developing footballers. This career move reflects his continued commitment to German football, contributing to the sport through mentorship and team leadership. His sitelink count of 35 for "association football coach" demonstrates his recognized status in this professional role.

### National Recognition

The Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf) represents the pinnacle of athletic recognition in Germany. Awarded since June 23, 1950, this highest sports honor in the country recognizes outstanding achievements in sports. Hitzlsperger's receipt of this award places him among the elite group of German athletes who have achieved national recognition for their contributions to sports.

### Personal and Professional Attributes

As a German national, Hitzlsperger represents the German football tradition within the broader context of Central European football. His dual roles as player and coach demonstrate the typical career path for professional footballers in Germany, where post-playing careers in coaching are common. His official website (https://www.thomas-hitzlsperger.de/) provides additional information about his ongoing activities in the football world.

### Legacy and Influence

Thomas Hitzlsperger's career embodies the German football system's emphasis on developing players who continue contributing to the sport beyond their playing years. His receipt of the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt acknowledges not just his playing achievements but his overall contribution to German sports. The combination of his playing career (sitelink count: 65) and coaching career (sitelink count: 35) represents a complete football career within the German professional system.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](https://www.zeit.de/sport/2014-01/thomas-hitzlsperger-homosexualitaet-fussball)
3. [Source](https://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Berichte/DE/Frank-Walter-Steinmeier/2020/10/201001-Verdienstorden-TdDE.html)
4. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
5. [Source](https://www.bunte.de/stars/star-news/sport/hitzlsperger-co-er-war-ein-held-ich-blieb-tief-verletzt-zuruck-66827.html)
6. IMDb
7. Transfermarkt
8. Argentine Soccer Database
9. As
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. BBC Things
12. kicker.de