Twice World Coach of the Year, he also holds the distinction of being one of only two men to win the Champions League - or the European Cup before that - with two different clubs.

Yet for all that, Hitzfeld has never set foot in the World Cup, either as a player or as a manager.

He took over as Switzerland manager in 2008 and led them on an unbeaten qualifying campaign to reach the finals. His talent is greater than his side's, but that could raise expectation as easily as end it.

DANGER MAN:

Try this for an international record: 40 goals in 71 games.

Alexander Frei might be 30 and back in his native Switzerland with Basel, but he still has an eye for goal that needs consideration.

Wherever he's played since the turn of the millennium, Frei has been a one-in-two forward.

And there's the added motivation that he missed most of the European Championships in 2008 after injuring his knee in the first half of the tournament's opening game, on home soil.

Should England fans be aware of Frei? Probably. At the 2004 Euro Championships, he was investigated over allegations he spat at Steven Gerrard.

He was later cleared of the charge, but it should add spice.

ROUTE TO SOUTH AFRICA:

Started their campaign badly with a defeat to Luxembourg but then went on an eight-game unbeaten run to top Group Two - which included Greece and Latvia.

Had to get a point in their final qualifying game with Isreal and scraped home with a goalless draw.

WORLD CUP HISTORY:

1934 Quarter Final
1938 Quarter Final
1950 First round
1954 Quarter Final
1962 First round
1966 First round
1994 Second round
2006 Second round.

WORLD CUP HIGHLIGHT:

In 1954, on home soil, in the first televised finals, the Swiss made it to the quarter-finals before going out to Austria.

COUNTRY POPULATION: 7.5 million

NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL TEAMS: 74

NATIONAL BEER: Feldschloesschen