Paul Scharner

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Paul Scharner
Scharner with Austria in 2012.
Personal information
Full name Paul Josef Herbert Scharner[1]
Date of birth (1980-03-11) 11 March 1980 (age 44)
Place of birth Scheibbs, Austria
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Defender / Midfielder
Youth career
1987–1993 SVG Purgstall
1993–1996 VSE St. Pölten
1996–1998 Austria Wien
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2003 Austria Wien 84 (3)
2001 → SG Untersiebenbrunn (loan) 16 (5)
2004 SV Salzburg 18 (3)
2004–2006 SK Brann 32 (7)
2006–2010 Wigan Athletic 145 (14)
2010–2012 West Bromwich Albion 62 (7)
2012–2013 Hamburger SV 4 (0)
2012 Hamburger SV II 2 (1)
2013 → Wigan Athletic (loan) 14 (0)
Total 377 (40)
International career
2000–2001 Austria U-21 12 (0)
2002–2012 Austria 40 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Paul Josef Herbert Scharner (born 11 March 1980) is an Austrian retired

midfield
position as well. He was known for his great positional versatility and haircuts.

Scharner started his professional career with

Tippeligaen in late 2004, starting for SK Brann. In January 2006, he entered the Premier League where he played for over six years, playing for Wigan Athletic and West Bromwich Albion, respectively. After a short time as a free agent, he transferred to Bundesliga veteran club Hamburger SV in August 2012, before returning to Wigan Athletic on loan in January 2013 - winning the FA Cup
. He announced his retirement, at age 33, in September 2013.

Early life and youth career

Born in Scheibbs, Scharner grew up in Purgstall an der Erlauf, where he also started his playing career with local site SVG Purgstall at the age of seven, playing for the club's U-8 team. He stayed with the club until 1993, when he transferred to FCN St. Pölten, which he left in 1996 for Austria Wien, the club where he would receive his first professional contract in 1999. He played for their U-17 and U-18 and later for the club's amateurs, while also getting vocational education in the field of electrical engineering.[2]

Professional career

Austria Wien

After rising through the youth ranks of the club and playing for the U-17, U-18 and amateur squads,[2] he made his debut for the first team as a substitute on the third of March in 1998 in a friendly match against Hellas Kagran, which Austria Wien won 5:1[3] and received his first professional contract in May 1999.[2]

1998/1999 and 1999/2000 seasons Before receiving his first professional contract with the club, he again took part in two friendly matches in February 1999, before making his debut in the Austrian Bundesliga on 24 April in a home game against SV Ried, which the Austria won 3:0. In May, he took part in three games for the remainder of the season, playing against Salzburg, GAK and Innsbruck, respectively. The latter also marked his first time in the starting line-up and his first yellow card.[4]

Similar to the last season, Scharner played the first team only in friendly matches at the beginning, before returning to the Bundesliga in the eleventh round on 11 September against GAK as a substitute, in mid October against

SV Salzburg by receiving a second yellow card in the 23rd minute of play. He scored his first two goals for the Austria in a friendly match against Wiener Neudorf in February.[5]

2000/2001 and 2001/2002 seasons His first matches in the new season also marked his debut on the international stage, playing four matches in the

Ceahlăul Piatra Neamţ, respectively. That season, he made only one appearance in the ÖFB-Cup, in the second round against Wiener Neustadt. In the league, he firstly played in the ninth round against Bregenz, but did not become a part of the team again until the 16th round, but played every game until the 23rd round then. After that, his appearances became fewer until the end of the season. He collected a total of three yellow cards that season, playing 14 games.[6]

To further develop his skills and to give him more minutes, Scharner was loaned to then-Austria affiliate club SG Untersiebenbrunn in the

Sturm Graz on 30 March.[9] His strong away round also brought him into the Austria national football team, debuting in a 0:0 against Cameroon on 17 April 2002.[2]

2002/2003 and 2003/2004 seasons After having emerged as a regular starter in the second half of the previous season, he played 29 league games this season, starting 22 of them and seeing eight yellow cards. He scored his only league goal that season in a home game against GAK. He played every cup game starting from the 1/8 finale, seeing one yellow card. Austria also competed in the

Porto in the second round, both games were lost.[10] His breakthrough season also marked his most successful with the club, as Austria won the Bundesliga, the ÖFB-Cup and the Austrian Supercup.[11]

Scharner played nine league games for Austria Wien the next season, scoring one goal and receiving three yellow cards until September, as well as competing in the

Olympique Marseille, losing the home game and tying in the away game, which led to an UEFA Cup match against Borussia Dortmund, which was also lost.[12] He was kicked from the team in mid October, after then-coach Joachim Löw intended to substitute him as a right midfielder, a position he did not like to play. After refusing his substitution and later stating: "The coach and I discussed where I can help the team the most, but the coach always uses me elsewhere. I already played on seven different positions. But I'm continuing my path."[13] he was suspended from Austria and was forced to look for a new team.[2][13]

SV Salzburg

Having no future with Austria Wien, Scharner was forced to look for a new team and ended up playing for SV Austria Salzburg, who were at that time fighting against relegation, signing a contract until June 2006.[14]

After being kicked by

Bregenz, respectively. He saw his first yellow/red card in a 3:2 win against Kärnten, the same site that kicked Salzburg out of the 1/8 finale in the ÖFB-Cup, sweeping them 4:0. He collected a total of five yellow cards that season.[citation needed] The team managed to avoid relegation at the end of the season.[15]

Although the relegation was avoided last season, Scharner surprisingly pressed a transfer to SK Brann shortly before the closure of the transfer window, leaving Salzburg early in the season.[16] In his short stint with Salzburg that season, Scharner made a total of five league matches, scoring one goal against Bregenz and receiving one yellow and one yellow/red card.[citation needed]

SK Brann

After avoiding relegation with

Tippeligaen club SK Brann on the last day of the summer transfer period. He signed a 2.5-year contract.[16]

Having transferred to Brann late in the season, Scharner made only a few games for his new club, scoring one goal. Brann won the

Lokomotiv Moscow
the next round.

The following year, he developed himself into a starter for the Norwegian side, playing 29 games while scoring five goals and receiving four yellow cards.[citation needed] When he left the club after the 2005 season, he had played 32 league matches, scoring seven goals.[18] Scharner was elected Brann's Player of the Year in 2005.[19]

Wigan Athletic

After finishing the 2005 season with SK Brann, Scharner signed a 3.5-year deal with Wigan Athletic on 22 December 2005, and joined the squad after the holidays. Wigan agreed to pay a fee of £2,500,000 (€3,700,000, 29,500,000 NOK), making it the biggest transfer in Brann's history.[20]

Scharner joined Wigan for the second half of the

Manchester United.[22] He scored his first Premier League goal in the 24th round in a 1–1 draw with Everton. He quickly emerged as a starter, playing all games from the 22nd round onwards, scoring three goals while receiving five yellow cards.[citation needed
]

He continued his leading role the

The Championship instead, by a goal difference of just one.[23]

The

West Ham United. He helped his team with a goal in the third round of the FA Cup against Sunderland but Wigan lost to Chelsea in the next round.[citation needed] Wigan finished the season on the 13th place, having earned 40 points,[24] while Scharner was elected Wigan's player of the year.[25]

Aside from reaching the third round in the FA Cup and the fourth in the League Cup, Scharner made a total of 27 league games the following season, scoring no goals while receiving three yellow cards,[citation needed] lifting Wigan Athletic to a solid eleventh place, having earned 45 points.[26] On 22 March 2009, he became the first Wigan player to play 100 Premier League games, playing an outstanding 77 minutes in a 1–0 win at home to Hull City.[27]

In his

handle it.[28] On 19 April 2010, he announced his decision to leave Wigan Athletic at the end of the 2009–10 season.[29]

West Bromwich Albion

On 30 August 2010, Scharner joined newly promoted Premier League side West Bromwich Albion on a two-year deal, having been a free agent since his release by Wigan.[30] Teammate James Morrison has since praised his performances, saying that although Scharner is "a weirdo", has made a positive impact on the team.[31] He made the switch to West Brom with the intent of no longer playing in central defence when manager Roberto Di Matteo told him he will be used as a midfielder.

After his league debut in a 1–1 draw against

Manchester United. He scored his first goal for West Brom in a 4-1 away win against Everton, helping Albion to their first league win at Goodison Park since 1979. He received seven yellow cards and was sent off once that season, while scoring four goals.[citation needed] His club finished the season in eleventh place with 47 points.[32]

The

League Cup, losing to Everton.[citation needed] On 22 October 2011, Scharner scored a historic winner in a 2-1 away win against rivals Aston Villa, which was Albion's first league win at Villa Park since 1979. West Brom earned 47 points again, finishing in tenth place.[33] After not meeting a clause in his contract that would trigger a twelve-month extension, Scharner announced on 8 May that he would be leaving West Brom in the summer and search for a new challenge.[34]

Hamburger SV

After his contract with

West Bromwich Albion ended, Scharner was linked to Eintracht Frankfurt but after absolving a week of training there, Scharner was not signed by Frankfurt[35] and instead moved to Bundesliga veteran club Hamburger SV, where he received a two-year contract.[36] When talking to coach Thorsten Fink for the first time prior to signing his contract, he prepared a list of ten questions he wanted to ask his new coach, a fact that surprised and impressed Fink.[37]

Return to Wigan

After four senior

FA Cup with Wigan, playing the whole game in a 1–0 upset win against Manchester City.[39] Only three days later, Wigan were relegated from the Premier League following a 4–1 defeat against Arsenal.[40]

International career

Scharner started playing for Austria at the under-21 level, debuting against Spain in 2000. He played a total of twelve matches on that level, scoring no goals.[citation needed]

Scharner debuted for the

2008 UEFA European Championship but Hickersberger remained hard, not picking him. After Hickersberger was replaced, his successor Karel Brückner started nominating him again after the tournament and he was even promoted to team captain from 2009 to 2010. After then-coach Dietmar Constantini was fired, he tried to become player-coach but this was rejected. In August 2012 he was banned from the team permanently after leaving the team hotel when coach Marcel Koller refused to give him a leading role in the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.[41][42] The chairmanship of the ÖFB has stated that he will never play for Austria again, no matter who coaches it.[43] He played a total of 40 matches, scoring no goals.[citation needed
]

Style of play

Scharner usually serves as a central defender or midfielder. Nevertheless, he is noted for his positional flexibility, having played every outfield position for Wigan except left back.

West Brom, Roberto Di Matteo, describes Scharner as follows: "Paul is a powerful, competitive player who is good on the ball, excellent in both boxes, can play in numerous positions and also chips in with goals."[44]

Another feature of his play is his great professionalism and focus, planning his training, goals and achievements meticulously on flip-charts. Since he was twelve, he has controlled his nutrition and since he was fifteen he has trained with Valentin Hobel; a personal mental coach. He practices his mental and autogenous training with great discipline, as he regards it as fundamental for his success as a professional.[45] Scharner believes, "You can train your mind as well as your body."[37] His HSV coach Thorsten Fink said, regarding his leadership abilities: "Paul is the type who never hides, who always leads the way and who will be there for the team especially in close situations."[46]

Image

Scharner's disputes with coaches at both club and international level have brought him media attention: a 2012 feature in

Euro 2012, proposing himself as a better alternative.[41] His final breach with the national team came in August 2012, when the ÖFB banned him permanently for leaving the team hotel after unsuccessfully demanding a guaranteed key role throughout the World Cup qualifiers and publicly criticising coach Marcel Koller.[41][42]

In Norway he was affectionately given the nickname fussballgott (i.e. "football-god"), and called "a cross-over between Franz Beckenbauer and Norman Hunter". Although claimed to be an enfant terrible, he was lauded for having an ability of self-examination, and for being "a leading figure, an idol and a resourceful member of the team".[47] In England, he is remembered largely for his professionalism, focus and his energetic performances, as well as his close relationship and identification with the fans of his former teams.[45]

He is also known for his various haircuts, cutting and dying his hair in a multitude of fashions and colours.[37]

Personal life

Paul Scharner is married to Marlene and has three sons: Constantin, Benedict and Paul Jr. He has received

reading, motorcycling and billiards as his personal interests.[7]

Career statistics

Club

As of 19 May 2013.[48] [49][50]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Austria Wien 1998–99 Austrian Bundesliga 4 0 0 0 — — — 4 0
1999–2000 Austrian Bundesliga 12 0 5 0 — — — 17 0
2000–01 Austrian Bundesliga 14 0 0 0 — 4 0 — 18 0
2001–02 Austrian Bundesliga 16 1 0 0 — — — 16 1
2002–03 Austrian Bundesliga 28 1 4 0 — 4 0 1 0 33 1
2003–04 Austrian Bundesliga 9 1 0 0 — 3 0 — 12 1
Total 83 3 9 0 — 11 0 1 0 104 3
SG Untersiebenbrunn (loan) 2001–02
Erste Liga
 16 5 1 0 — — — 17 5
SV Salzburg 2003–04 Austrian Bundesliga 13 2 1 0 — — — 14 2
2004–05 Austrian Bundesliga 5 1 0 0 — — — 5 1
Total 18 3 1 0 — — — 19 3
SK Brann
2004
Tippeligaen
 7 1 0 0 — — — 7 1
2005
 Tippeligaen 25 6 0 0 — 4 0 29 6
Total 32 7 0 0 — 4 0 36 7
Wigan Athletic 2005–06 Premier League 16 3 0 0 3 1 — — 19 4
2006–07 Premier League 25 3 0 0 0 0 — — 25 3
2007–08 Premier League 37 4 2 1 0 0 — — 39 5
2008–09 Premier League 29 0 1 0 1 1 — — 31 1
2009–10 Premier League 38 4 1 0 1 0 — — 40 4
Total 145 14 4 1 5 2 — — 153 17
West Bromwich Albion 2010–11 Premier League 33 4 1 0 0 0 — — 34 4
2011–12 Premier League 29 3 0 0 1 0 — — 30 3
Total 62 7 1 0 1 0 — — 64 7
Hamburger SV 2012–13 Bundesliga 4 0 0 0 — — — 4 0
Wigan Athletic (loan) 2012–13 Premier League 14 0 4 0 — — — 18 0
Career total 361 38 20 1 6 2 15 0 1 0 412 41

International

Statistics as of 19 August 2012.

Austria U-21
Year Apps Goals
2000 6 0
2001 6 0
Total 12 0
Austria
Year Apps Goals
2002 4 0
2003 2 0
2004 1 0
2005 2 0
2006 3 0
2008 2 0
2009 8 0
2010 4 0
2011 5 0
2012 2 0
Total 40 0

Honours

Austria Wien

SK Brann

Wigan Athletic

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Premier League clubs submit squad lists". Premier League. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Austria Wien Archiv: Paul Scharner" (in German). Austria Wien. 7 August 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Austria Wien Archiv: Paul Scharner 97/98 season" (in German). Austria Wien. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  4. ^ "Austria Wien Archiv: Paul Scharner 98/99 season" (in German). Austria Wien. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Austria Wien Archiv: Paul Scharner 99/00 season" (in German). Austria Wien. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Austria Wien Archiv: Paul Scharner 00/01 season" (in German). Austria Wien. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Steckbrief von Paul Scharner". Kurier (in German). 7 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Fotostory: Paul Scharner" (in German). sportnet.at. 22 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Austria Wien Archiv: Paul Scharner 01/02 season" (in German). Austria Wien. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  10. ^ "Austria Wien Archiv: Paul Scharner 02/03 season" (in German). Austria Wien. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d "Erfolge: FK Austria Wien" (in German). Austria Wien. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  12. ^ "Austria Wien Archiv: Paul Scharner 03/04 season" (in German). Austria Wien. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  13. ^ a b c d "Nach 0:1 vs. GAK: Austria feuert Teamspieler Scharner" (in German). news.at. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  14. ^ a b "Austria Wien Archiv: Paul Scharner" (in German). Austria Wien. 7 August 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  15. ^ "tipp3-Bundesliga Archiv 2003/2004 season". ÖFB. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  16. ^ a b "Überraschung in Salzburg: Paul Scharner wechselt nach Norwegen zu Brann Bergen" (in German). news.at. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  17. ^ a b "Norgesmestere Menn 1902–2010" (in Norwegian). NFF. Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  18. ^ "Paul Scharner". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  19. ^ a b "2005: Super-Ray går" (in Norwegian). Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  20. ^ "Wigan complete deal for Scharner". BBC Sport. 22 December 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  21. ^ "Wigan 1–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 10 January 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  22. ^ "Man Utd ease to Carling Cup glory". BBC Sport. 26 February 2006. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  23. ^ "Scharner rettet Wigan vor dem Abstieg". Kleine Zeitung (in German). 14 May 2007. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  24. ^ "League Table 2007/2008 season". Premier League. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  25. ^ a b "Scharner scoops top prize". 6 May 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  26. ^ "League Table 2008/2009 season". Premier League. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  27. ^ "Scharner 100 League Games". Wigan Athletic. Archived from the original on 24 March 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  28. ^ "Tottenham 9–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. 22 November 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  29. ^ "Bosman/Free Transfer List: England – Premier League". goal.com. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  30. ^ "Baggies announce Scharner deal". ESPN Soccernet. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  31. Independent.co.uk. 8 October 2010. Archived
    from the original on 25 May 2022.
  32. ^ "League Table 2010/2011 season". Premier League. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  33. ^ "League Table 2011/2012 season". Premier League. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  34. ^ "Scharner to leave West Brom". Sky Sports. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  35. ^ "Zambrano Top-Kandidat, Scharner kommt nicht". Rheinische Post (in German). 6 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  36. ^ "Scharner hat beim Hamburger SV unterschrieben" (in German). NDR. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  37. ^ a b c "Done deal: Paul Scharner signs for HSV". HSV. 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  38. ^ "Wigan confirm Paul Scharner loan deal from Hamburg". BBC Sport. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  39. ^ a b "Man City 0 - 1 Wigan". BBC. 11 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  40. ^ "Arsenal 4 - 1 Wigan". BBC. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  41. ^ a b c d e "Die größten Skandale um Paul Scharner" (in German). oe24.at. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  42. ^ a b "Hat der HSV seinen neuen Skandal-Profi?". Bild (in German). 16 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  43. ^ "HSV-Profi Paul Scharner aus Nationalteam verbannt". Die Welt (in German). 17 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  44. ^ a b "Baggies snap up Scharner". Sky Sports. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  45. ^ a b "Der Prophet im Bärenfell" (in German). spox.com. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  46. ^ "Scharner verspricht "Professionalität pur"". Die Welt (in German). 11 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  47. ^ "Giganten Paul Scharner | Aftenposten.no". Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  48. ^ "Scharner, Paul". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  49. ^ "Paul Scharner – Spieler bei fussballdaten.de" (in German). fussballdaten.de. Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  50. ^ "Paul Scharner". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  51. ^ "Man Utd ease to Carling Cup glory". BBC Sport. 26 February 2006. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  52. ^ "Everton 2-1 Wigan". BBC. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2016.

External links

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