Feature
Swiss gold

Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar banker: How the Switzerland star prepared for a back-up career in the fast-moving world of finance

Switzerland star recalls how he worked 'all day in the bank' before going to training and then later starting his homework at 10pm

"I'M NOT a typical defender," is how Fabian Schar described himself after signing for Newcastle this summer.

But why? After all, the Switzerland international has all the physical hallmarks of an imposing centre-half.

Advertisement
Fabian Schar had his sights set on a different role before he became pro

He stands 6ft 2ins, weighs just over 13st and is reluctant to boot the ball out of danger when he can play it out from the back.

But the truth is the 26-year-old could have been a high-flying banker rather than a footballer.

Born in Wil, in the far north east of Switzerland, Schar lacked the promise of some of his fellow teenage stars growing up.

When the Under-17s won the World Cup in 2009 he was not part of the squad.

Advertisement
Schar is settling into life at Newcastle - but he could have been a bankerCredit: Getty
The Toon centre-half had his head in the books when he was doing his homework at 10pmCredit: Instagram

And though he made his debut as a 17-year-old in the Swiss second tier for his hometown side FC Wil, the path to a Swiss domestic title, the Bundlesliga and now the Premier League, seemed far from certain.

That was why he trained in his local bank for a back-up career in the fast-moving world of finance.

Advertisement

He signed up at Raiffeisen - the bank that sponsors the Swiss Super League - and threw himself fully into learning the trade.

Recalling his experience, Schar said: "I used to work all day in the bank and then go to training and then come home and start my homework at 10pm."

Schar would have had a successful career in banking, according to his old teacher at RaiffeisenbankCredit: Raiffeisenbank
Former Basel man Schar was a whizz with numbersCredit: Instagram
Advertisement
Rafa Benitez will be hoping his summer signing can do a job at the back for NewcastleCredit: Getty - Contributor

Latest football news

DONE DEALS
Walker to AC Milan IMMINENT, Napoli in for '£50m Garnacho', Arsenal eye Sesko
GARN DOWN
Man Utd ‘lower Garnacho demands with forward set for cut-price Napoli transfer’
DOSH & BECKS
Beckham picks up award for work with vulnerable children at Davos summit
PITCH PERFECT
How Arteta is using MUSIC to motivate players with huge speakers in training

Christian Stieger trained Schar and is now a member of Raiffeisen's executive board.

He said: "We hired Fabian as a learner for the basic education as a banker in July 2007 and at the time it could not be predicted he would go on to achieve such a career in football.

"He worked full-time doing the basic education and during the last year of his education he started playing for Wil.

Advertisement

"After finishing his basic education he wanted to continue working as a balance to football.

More football features

ACADEMY AWARD
Everton owner Dan Friedkin is worth £6bn and landed a WW2 jet as stuntman
ROY'S RAGE
Things that make Roy Keane angry, from ABBA to prawn sandwiches
DUTCH MASTERS?
How Dutch managers rate in Premier League from Ruud Gullit to Erik ten Hag
LEW BEAUTY
Spurs billionaire Joe Lewis lives on £195m yacht and is pals with Tiger Woods

"Fabian was a very good employee. He worked quickly, accurately and was well integrated in the team. He was also a quiet, thoughtful but humorous person. He would have had a successful career in banking of course!

"A lot of Raiffeisen employees still see him as one of us."

Perhaps all the work took its toll.

Advertisement

Schar, who since 2013 has been a Raiffeisen ambassador, was dropped back to the reserves after making his debut.

But he then caught the attention of other clubs when a video of his 60-yard lob against FC Aarau in October 2011 went viral.

Less than 12 months later he signed for Swiss champions Basel.

He helped win the club their four straight league title in his debut season and was voted Swiss Young Player of the Year too.

Advertisement
Schar has come a long way since having to watch from the sidelines the Swiss stars in his age group lift the World CupCredit: Getty - Contributor

Schar's first cap for the Swiss national team followed in 2013 and his rapid ascension was confirmed when he started Switzerland's last-16 tie against Argentina in the 2014 World Cup.

Angel Di Maria's extra-time winner sent the South Americans through but Schar's star was shining brightly and he joined Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in June 2015.

After two years there he signed a four-year deal with La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna before moving to St James' Park this summer for £3million.

Advertisement

Seems like Schar is indebted to no one but himself for making it so far.

Advertisement
Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com