34 Facts About Paul Scharner

Paul Scharner operated mainly as a defender, although he could play almost every midfield position as well.

Paul Scharner was known for his great positional versatility and haircuts.

Paul Scharner announced his retirement, at age 33, in September 2013.

Paul Scharner stayed with the club until 1993, when he transferred to FCN St Polten, which he left in 1996 for Austria Wien, the club where he would receive his first professional contract in 1999.

Paul Scharner played for their U-17 and U-18 and later for the club's amateurs, while getting vocational education in the field of electrical engineering.

Paul Scharner collected a total of three yellow cards that season, playing 14 games.

Paul Scharner scored his only league goal that season in a home game against GAK.

Paul Scharner made a total of 13 league games for Salzburg that season, 4 of which were won and three tied, scoring two goals, against Wacker Modling and Bregenz, respectively.

Paul Scharner collected a total of five yellow cards that season.

Paul Scharner was elected Brann's Player of the Year in 2005.

Paul Scharner quickly emerged as a starter, playing all games from the 22nd round onwards, scoring three goals while receiving five yellow cards.

Paul Scharner continued his leading role the next season, this time Wigan were battling relegation.

Paul Scharner started for much of the first half of the season, scoring two goals in an away-tie against Everton, receiving five yellow cards in that half of the season.

Again, Paul Scharner was a vital part of the team, starting in almost every game of the season, while scoring four goals and receiving six yellow cards.

Paul Scharner scored his first goal of the season in the fourth round against West Ham United.

Paul Scharner 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.

Wigan finished the season on the 13th place, having earned 40 points, while Paul Scharner was elected Wigan's player of the year.

On 30 August 2010, Paul 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.

Teammate James Morrison has since praised his performances, saying that although Paul Scharner is "a weirdo", has made a positive impact on the team.

Paul Scharner 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.

Paul Scharner received seven yellow cards and was sent off once that season, while scoring four goals.

Paul Scharner's club finished the season in eleventh place with 47 points.

The next season, his final year in the Premier League, Paul Scharner played 29 games for West Brom, mostly as a starter.

Paul Scharner scored three goals while receiving six yellow cards.

Paul Scharner's team reached the third round in the League Cup, losing to Everton.

Paul Scharner started playing for Austria at the under-21 level, debuting against Spain in 2000.

Paul Scharner played a total of twelve matches on that level, scoring no goals.

Paul Scharner played the qualification round for the 2006 FIFA World Cup but Austria failed to qualify.

Paul Scharner tried to make a comeback in 2008, when Austria co-hosted the 2008 UEFA European Championship but Hickersberger remained hard, not picking him.

Paul Scharner played a total of 40 matches, scoring no goals.

Paul Scharner made a comeback under Dietmar Constantini, but criticised the retention of Constantini as coach after failure to qualify for Euro 2012, proposing himself as a better alternative.

Paul Scharner is known for his various haircuts, cutting and dying his hair in a multitude of fashions and colours.

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

Paul Scharner has received vocational education in the field of electrical engineering and lists skiing, reading, motorcycling and billiards as his personal interests.