It’s not going too well for David Moyes this season, but maybe the addition of an old fans favourite to his staff could help him turn their season around.
Former Sunderland midfielder Stefan Schwarz enjoyed his time on Wearside so much that he is desperate to return in a coaching capacity, The Chronicle reports.
The long-serving Sweden international first arrived in English football with Arsenal in 1994 but is more fondly remembered for four years at the Stadium of Light up until Sunderland’s relegation in 2003.
And Schwarz, who made his name at the 1994 World Cup and lifted domestic trophies with Benfica, Fiorentina and Valencia, admits that he would jump at the chance to return to the North East if an opportunity presented itself, such is his bond with the club and the city.
“The area was maybe not the nicest for the weather, but the warmth of the fans – girls, boys, ladies, gentleman – the stadium, the team we had at the time; it was all very pleasing, satisfying and of course with all of that, enjoyable,” Schwarz told The Chronicle.
“Sunderland was special to me. I still follow them and one day I’d love to come back. I’m ready to come back.
“The door is now open. I have my pro license now, I’m still very much involved with football. I have been with the Swedish-Under 21s, and also at Helsingborgs alongside Age Hareide who used to be at Manchester City [as a player in the 1981/82 season].”
The 47-year-old, who formed an integral part of the Sunderland side that finished an unprecedented seventh under Peter Reid in 2000, retired immediately after the club dropped down into the second tier three years later.
He added that he was asked to stay on and coach the Black Cats reserve team, but turned down the offer due to family reasons.
However, he is unlikely to let such an opportunity pass him by next time around.
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