He achieved a career-high singles ranking on the ATP tour on June 19, 1977, when he became world No.

[9][10] He won the Italian Open doubles championship in four consecutive years (1974–1977).

Gottfried won the 1974 and 1975 ATP Doubles Team of the Year Award with partner Raúl Ramírez.

[4] In 2007 Gottfried joined the coaching staff at the Harold Solomon Tennis Institute in Fort Lauderdale.

In 2010, Gottfried coached with the Bollettieri Tennis Program at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

[17][18] In 2015, he joined the coaching staff at the Bolles School[19] His younger brother, Larry was also a tennis player.