🎤 Paul Scharner Exclusive Interview and Euro 2024 Predictions

Paul Scharner Gives his Euro 2024 Predictions

Paul Scharner shares his tips for Euro 2024, expressing confidence in Austria, highlighting key players and tournament favourites, and emphasizing the importance of fan support.

🏆 Paul Scharner's Euro 2024 Predictions! 🏆

🇦🇹 Austria's Chances: Paul Scharner is confident in Austria's potential success, influenced by new coach Ralf Rangnick.

🌍 Tournament Favorites: France, England, and Portugal are highlighted as favourites.

🥇 Golden Boot: Harry Kane is Scharner's top pick despite Kylian Mbappe's struggles.

🛡️ Golden Ball: A defender might win this year, with Mats Hummels and Eric Dier as potential candidates.

🌟 Austrian Stars: Key players include Marko Arnautovic and David Alaba, noted for their significant influence if fit.

🆕 Emerging Talents: Young players like Kevin Danso, Michael Gregoritsch, and Christoph Baumgartner are spotlighted.

Paul Scharner Euro 2024 Predictions

Paul Scharner

40 Caps for Austria

Q: Who will win Euro 2024?

PS: “Of course Austria. I'm very confident this year's European Championship could be very successful the first time for Austria. We were very close the last time in losing to Italy in the last 16 and now we have a new coach in Ralf Rangnick.

“He has brought something special into the Austrian squad and also to Austrian football in general, he could now oversee a big surprise. 

“But on the other hand, France, England and Portugal, are of course the favourites.”

EURO2024 Betting Odds

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Q: Who will win the Golden Boot at Euro 2024?

PS: “It looks like Kylian Mbappe has struggled a little bit towards the end of the season. It's a very intense season for the top players. 

“So maybe there will be a surprise in the tournament this year. But for me, my main favourite who has shown his quality all season is of course Harry Kane.”

EURO2024 Golden Boot Betting Odds

All odds tables on this page are sourced live from the displayed bookmakers. Once the market is closed, no odds box will appear.

Q: Who will win the Golden Ball at Euro 2024?

PS: “I think the winner of the Golden Ball could be a defender. It's not normal that a defender wins the Golden Ball but I hope this could be the year.

“It's a very long, hard season for the top players so it will be a big challenge for them to perform at the tournament.

“I also think that Mats Hummels has been incredible in the Champions League so he could get back into the Germany squad, as well as Eric Dier, he is doing very well and could do so with England who are lacking in that position.”

Q: Who are your dark horses at Euro 2024? 

PS: “My dark horses are definitely Austria because there is a good mood now after quite a comfortable qualifying campaign since changing the playing style.

“The new style suits the players more than it did before, they are very attacking and now press high up. If you look back at the performances and results against teams like Germany and France, there is belief there.

“In the last couple of weeks, Ralf Rangnick also chose not to join Bayern Munich because he is committed to the Austria national team until the 2026 World Cup so that means a lot.”

Q: Who will be the star players for Austria at Euro 2024?

PS: “Marko Arnautovic and David Alaba will be the stars for Austria, but only if they’re fit. Aalba is in a race against his cruciate injury so he will be in the squad but we don’t know if he can play.

“Arnautovic is of course an outstanding player but it’s hard to stay fit as you get older, these two can have a big influence but we’ve seen in recent games with Austria that they can win games without them. I think we have good depth in the squad.” 

Q: Who will be the standout young players for Austria at Euro 2024?

PS: “For Austria, the standout young players will be Kevin Danso, a good central-defender as well as Michael Gregoritsch a striker from Freiberg, who would have the physicality for the England game.

“As well as Christoph Baumgartner from RB Leipzig, who I think will have a great career over the next decade.

“I can't decide who will be the next Austrian player in the Premier League, but at least we have a manager again in the form of Oliver Glasner.“

Q: How far will England get at Euro 2024?

PS: “I think the pressure is on Gareth Southgate this summer. In my opinion he made a big mistake in the last final because you can't train penalty kicks and he should know that. 

“It would be great for my football heart if England won the European Championship in 2024 and especially in Germany, which would make it even sweeter.

“England have a great squad in midfield and in attack, at the back it depends. But if he’s going to play Stones and Dier it could work. But you can’t blame him for sticking with Maguire.

“To be honest, the pressure he gets and also all the comments, the negative comments, that's not fair, in my opinion.”

Q: Who are the biggest dangers for England at Euro 2024?

PS: “The biggest threat for England is of course Harry Kane, because he’s so versatile. He’s dropping into midfield and then coming into the box out of nowhere.

“Another player is of course Foden, you have to be on the ball to stop him getting into the game. He’s on a high and hopefully he can keep it for Euro 2024.

“Cole Palmer is another player, who expected a season like that from him? Nobody I think.”

Q: What is your prediction for Austria vs France?

PS: “In my opinion, it's a very, very good chance to cause a surprise.

“France, they have many players overplayed and normally big teams are starting very slow into the tournament. So my prediction is 1-1.”

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Q: What is your prediction for Austria vs Poland?

PS: “Four years ago I would say it's an even game but we were not as confident as this time. So I think we're gonna win at least 2-1 and maybe 3-1.”

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Q: What is your prediction for Austria vs Netherlands?

PS: “Of course it's the third game and I think if you have four points after two games you are qualified for the knockout stages. So I guess it's a draw, 1-1.”

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Q: Would Austria winning the Euros top Wigan winning the FA Cup?

PS: “Austria winning the Euros would be similar to Wigan winning the FA Cup, but because of the international stage I would rank it higher. But looking back on 2013 it was a great achievement.”

Q: What do you think of the new Austria kits?

PS: “Not everyone in Austria is a fan of the new away kit. It’s an in-between colour which doesn’t have the best design, but you can say anything against Puma!”

Q: What will Austria fans bring to the tournament this summer?

PS: “I'm very confident that Austria will have great support in Germany and it will be interesting to watch. But it’s a shame that it’s so hard to get tickets for the games. It’s like a lottery. It’s a shame that not many Austrians can watch the Austria games.”

Steindy (talk) 21:28, 22 November 2013 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Q: What makes Marko Arnautovic Austria’s star man?

PS: “At least Marko Arnautovic has developed as a human. Because the first time I met him was 2012. He was on the squad as an international player in one of my last years actually and he was a difficult guy to be honest.

“He has developed as a human and I think if he would have stayed in England, he would have played for a bigger team.

“I once spoke to halfway through a season at Stoke as he was dreaming about Manchester United. The main problem with Marco was that he couldn't perform after that interest and that's why he never got a big contract. 

“But now he’s at Inter Milan and has won Serie A, the first trophy he has won while getting plenty of playing time. So of course he's a very important part in the Austrian national team and when he gets his focus on the pitch and he’s fit, he is a handful, definitely.”

Q: Who will be the next Austrian star in the Premier League?

PS: “For me, the closest is Kevin Danso, but there is a good player in Patrick Wimmer at Wolfsburg. He is very creative and a free player. Also Christoph Baumgartner. He could be a future Premier League player.”

“These three or four players, maybe Michael Gregorich, if he got a good offer from England then I could see him doing a good job in the Premier League.”

Q: Will Harry Kane playing for Bayern help England win Euro 2024?

PS: “Harry Kane has scored 43 goals in 43 games this season and nobody expected him to be quite that good. I knew it, knowing him from England and seeing him play, he’s so good for the team

“Hopefully he’s learned from the last European Championship where he missed a penalty. I think any experience you make makes you stronger. And for me, he could be a very, very key player in the tournament.”

Paul Scharner Profile

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.”