Xaver Schlager calls for football regulation to save the world
Nottingham‑Forest midfielder Xaver Schlager criticises that football is played daily and the matches thereby become worthless, and warns: “If you don’t regulate people, there’s no end for them.” He adds that it would be worse for him if he held back his opinion than if someone criticised him.
Personal criticism of football
Schlager is an atypical footballer who, besides sport, reads world literature and literature aimed at improving the world.
The 29‑year‑old says he lives in a world where he is not a prototype.
Personal background
During the 2022 World Cup he travelled with a backpack through Thailand.
Last year he opened a tavern in his hometown.
Career and interview
At Nottingham Forest he is again playing under coach Oliver Glasner, after being regarded as Austria’s best national player in early autumn following a mixed World Cup campaign.
Ahead of the Nations League matches against Ireland and Israel he spoke with the STANDARD about leaving the football bubble and about the insatiable people.
The interview was conducted last Thursday, that is before Nottingham Forest’s 3‑1 victory over Manchester City, in which Schlager provided the assist for the 2‑0.
The interviewer asked: “Do you think you are in the best form of your career?”
When asked whether it is different today to play for a traditional club, he replied that football is simply football and a job change like in any industry.
He emphasises that ultimately it is only about playing good football, wherever.
He admits that he is not in his best form, but he had a great time in Leipzig.
He recalls the first Leipzig season segment, in which they won the cup and everyone was in a very good mood, and says that it is hard to compare.
Schlager mentions detail areas such as pre‑orientation and quick thinking in the head, which he constantly wants to improve, and describes progress as wave‑like, with an injury causing the process to collapse.
He criticises that in football often only the results are noted, even though one goes through a process.
When asked whether 90 minutes on the weekend are annoying, he says it depends on how it goes, and describes the current situation as sobering, because daily training without result makes him feel almost worthless.
He reports that in the last two to three months he has trained as much as rarely before and sees a steady increase, but the lack of results is very sobering.
He warns that one must not lose courage.
Regarding Expected Goals he explains that many defeats were unlucky, but continuous work pays off in the long term, while in tough phases many give up.
He is convinced that the form will return sometime.
At the time of the interview Nottingham Forest had six points from nine league games.
Regarding the discussion about leadership players he says the media need a narrative, but in principle all eleven players take responsibility.
The head coach also emphasises the importance of leadership players.