STEFAN SCHWARZ was back in Sunderland this week to enjoy the Black Cats’ comprehensive 3-0 win against Burnley on Monday night.
In a 16-year career, the stylish Swede manned the centre of the pitch in six different countries and spent his final four years at Sunderland between 1999 and 2003.
Schwarz, who also spent one season at Arsenal, explained: “I have so many fond memories of my playing career — but my seasons at the Stadium of Light were very special.
“I hadn’t been back to Wearside in a couple of years so to return on Monday and see how the club has moved forward was inspiring. I’m so happy for the fans who were so kind and made me feel at home during my time in the North East.
“The fact they’re the only team in the Premier League still unbeaten at home is impressive. I didn’t think Burnley played that well but Sunderland never gave them a chance.”
The 56-year-old midfielder joined the Mackems in the summer of 1999 after the club had just been promoted to the Prem.
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He helped them to seventh place in his first season — aided by the strike duo of Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips, who combined for 44 goals.
Schwarz, who also starred for the likes of Valencia and Benfica, added: “Back in 1999, I was lucky to play in a side with the twin strike-threat of Niall and Kevin.
“It was great to meet up with them along with Peter Reid at a function organised by the MHM Media Group last weekend at the Empire in Sunderland — over 25 years after I joined the club. It was wonderful to share the memories again.
“I would like to thank Mike at MHM Media Group for making it happen.”
One of the weirdest aspects of Schwarz joining the Black Cats was the bizarre clause in his contract preventing him from space travel!
He said: “As crazy as it sounds that is quite true. When I first went to the club to sign, Moonraker was playing on the TV in the offices.
“A couple of agents there were talking about the prospects of people being offered the chance to become space tourists.
“It was something I’ve always been interested in, so I said I would jump at the chance.
“When they realised I was deadly serious that I’d be one of the first to join, there was an addendum added saying if I were to travel beyond the Earth’s atmosphere my contract would become invalid!
“I don’t think any other player past or present has had something similar. It was just a one-off.”
After retiring in 2003 he initially worked as a football agent and was also assistant manager at Swedish club Helsingborgs.
Stefan Schwarz’s amazing career stats
Playing career:
- Malmo, 1987-90: 32 games, 0 goals
- Benfica, 1990-1994: 77 games, 7 goals
- Arsenal, 1994-1995: 34 games, 2 goals
- Fiorentina, 1995-1998: 78 games, 2 goals
- Valencia, 1998-1999: 23 games, 4 goals
- Sunderland, 1999-2003: 62 games, 3 goals
- Sweden, 1990-2001: 69 games, 6 goals
Trophies:
- Malmo: Swedish Championship, All-Swede x2, Swedish Cup
- Benfica: Premier Division x2, Portuguese Cup
- Fiorentina: Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup
- Valencia: Uefa Intertoto Cup, Copa del Rey
He has also been involved as an ambassador for the 2018 INAS world football championships — for athletes with intellectual disabilities — and acted as a mentor for the Sweden national side.
The Malmo-born maestro had a fascinating journey in the game, playing in six European countries, including twice in England with Arsenal and the Mackems.
Schwarz continued: “At Benfica we played some wonderful football but joining Arsenal in 1994 developed my game further.
“The old Highbury was grand and magnificent and over 30 years on I still will never forget how great the Gunners supporters were to me.
“I learned so many new things coming to England and playing under George Graham — everything was more direct but it taught me to read the game more and how important the second ball was.
“I switched to Fiorentina in Italy in 1995. At that time Serie A was arguably the best league in the world. It was a lot more technical than England at that time.
“But your private life was difficult. If everything was good, you’d be the hero, but a defeat and you’d need to stay home!”
Schwarz went on to play for Valencia in Spain before the switch to Sunderland in 1999. And he hopes his old club Arsenal will go on and win the Prem this term.
The 69-cap former Sweden international said: “They’re a brilliant side with depth and they will win the league — and then it’s only a matter of what else they can win this season. There are so many knockout games between now and the end of May.”
On the international stage, Schwarz played a key role in Sweden’s third-place finish in 1994, the last time the World Cup was staged by the USA. Sadly injury prevented him from playing at Euro 2000.
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