Paul Scharner Exclusive Interview with OLBG

Paul Scharner (born March 11, 1980) is a retired Austrian professional footballer who was widely recognized for his positional versatility and remarkable haircuts. A multi-talented defender, Scharner gained prominence in multiple European football leagues throughout his career, including the Austrian Bundesliga, Norwegian Tippeligaen, English Premier League, and German Bundesliga.

Scharner's love for football began in the small town of Purgstall an der Erlauf, where he first kicked a ball for SVG Purgstall's U-8 team at age seven. His talent quickly progressed, and Scharner soon transferred to FCN St. Pölten, and then to Austria Wien where he turned professional in 1999. His professional career took him to SV Salzburg, SK Brann in Norway, and to England's Wigan Athletic and West Bromwich Albion, before wrapping up his career at Hamburger SV in Germany. In 2013, Scharner experienced his career highlight when he returned to Wigan (on loan) and aided in their historic FA Cup victory. 

Over his career, Scharner made 40 appearances for the Austria national football team. His reputation on the field was defined by his unmatched versatility, admired professionalism, and close relationship with fans. Off-field, his distinctive haircuts and confident personality earned him significant media attention. He retired from the sport in September 2013 at the age of 33.

Interview May 2024

Speaking exclusively to OLBG, Paul Scharner has described Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest professional on earth having played against him in the English top-flight.

The former Premier League defender has also admitted to snubbing Wigan’s FA Cup winners parade after they were relegated from the Premier League.

Ex-Austria international has also called a potential Euro 2024 snub of Eric Dier a huge mistake as Gareth Southgate tries to lead England to glory.

Q: Should Eric Dier be in England’s XI at Euro 2024?

PS: “Definitely, it would be a huge mistake to leave Eric Dier out of the squad. He’s playing at Bayern Munich at the highest level and he’s a very experienced player. He shouldn’t just be in the squad but in the starting XI.”

Q: Did you decide not to attend Wigan’s FA Cup winning parade due to relegation?

PS: “I skipped it. I was so disappointed because one of my biggest targets in my career was not having a relegation on my CV. 

“Of course, I was just a loan player, but it hurt a lot, to be honest, because two weeks before you had the biggest achievement for the club, and two weeks later, we got relegated.

“Yeah, it was very sad for me. That's why I skipped the parade.”

Q: Should Cristiano Ronaldo still have a big role to play for Portugal at Euro 2024?

PS: “Cristiano Ronaldo is only 39 biologically, but he's a through and through professional, I think the best professional on earth. He will be fit for Euro 2024 and his experience is priceless. So as a manager, I would be picking him.”

Q: Can Roberto Martinez guide Portugal to Euro 2024 glory?

PS: “Yes, Roberto Martinez can definitely win the tournament with Portugal. He has experience with Belgium and can bring that to Portugal. 

“When he is looking back and reflecting on previous decisions, they will help him for the tournament. What I really like is that he's honouring Ronaldo in the squad after he fell out with the former manager.

“A player like Ronaldo should be a focal point at his age.”

Q: Could Steve Bruce be a good fit for the Ireland job?Could bruce lead Ireland's National team?PS: “Could Steve Bruce be a good fit for the Ireland job? Definitely. You’d have to change your style because you don’t see the players every day. But with his experience as a manager and also as a player, it could be worth it for the Ireland national team.”

Q: What have Sheffield United done wrong in their relegation battle?

PS: “You need to think very differently when you want to compete and establish yourself the Premier League after being promoted. 

“If you get promoted and think there is little chance of success then it’s going to be difficult. Look at Brentford when they came up and believed in themselves.

“Look at Oliver Glasner coming in and thinking why not compete for Europe? Why not? Because of money? No. Because of players? You can develop players.

“The vision and the mentality is vital for teams like getting promoted and believing in it, like Ipswich, they’ll be thinking that they have a good squad and a good atmosphere, why not attack the Premier League?”

Q: Who would David Alaba suit in the Premier League?

PS: “I would see him more in a team like Arsenal. I think Manchester United would be difficult because he's not a natural defender. He plays at the back because he grew up at Bayern Munich and became a left back. He always wanted to play in central midfield.

“For him his best position was number eight, offensive midfielder, but he never got there. 

“If you look at Real Madrid, 99% of their games they have the most possession, fighting and defending is not his strength. It’s being in possession.”

Q: Who are the best central defenders in the Premier League?

PS: “I don’t know if you can call Manchester City defenders as defenders, because they don’t have 1v1 situations very often against forwards because they are always in possession. 

“So Ruben Dias for instance is a good player, a good football player, in possession. But what would happen if he's playing for Sheffield United or for Crystal Palace?”

Q: Are you backing West Brom to win the playoffs?

PS: “Yeah, definitely. I'm especially grateful that West Brom now have a new owner to be honest. It was very, very difficult with the previous owners.

“So at least there is stability in the next couple of years. So I think I'm quite confident that West Brom will get promoted at some point over the next two years.

“Look at Luton Town, they have a very stable management and they have all grown together and then you can achieve something outstanding.

“That was missing at West Bromwich because of the owner. There was no togetherness and now we can achieve something great together. But now I'm confident that this atmosphere is growing in the next couple of years and it ends in promotion to the Premier League.”

Q: Would you like to return to West Brom behind the scenes?

PS: “That's a good question to be honest because I'm now in a phase in my life that I'm focused on club football and positions in the club. Normally you need some experience to get some interest in you and I can't see that for the next 10 years in my life.

“So let's see, maybe I can help with a consultant, outside consultant and help the community and also the club grow as a unit, actually. And yeah, let's see, I'm open. I was there for a supporters meeting in March, it’s always great to come back.”

Q: What is the story behind your hairstyles in the Premier League?

Scharners 'THANX' message in his hair -  Wigan Athletic v Hull City - DW Stadium

PS: “It started in Austria as I was one of the first players who committed to working with a mental coach. And that was my sign that I'm not just working with my physicality, I'm also working with my brain. 

“So it started when I was 21. And the funny thing was I made it the day before a game in which we played the reigning champions of Austria and then I scored my first Bundesliga goal.

“I kept dying my hair and I think I had 12 or 13 different haircuts and colours.

“Football is also entertainment. And I think one part of a football player is not just playing football. He should also entertain the supporters.”